α-olefins and olefin polymers and processes therefor

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are processes for polymerizing ethylene, acyclic olefins, and/or selected cyclic olefins, and optionally selected olefinic esters or carboxylic acids, and other monomers. The polymerizations are catalyzed by selected transition metal compounds, and sometimes other co-catalysts. Since some of the polymerizations exhibit some characteristics of living polymerizations, block copolymers can be readily made. Many of the polymers produced are often novel, particularly in regard to their microstructure, which gives some of them unusual properties. Numerous novel catalysts are disclosed, as well as some novel processes for making them. The polymers made are useful as elastomers, molding resins, in adhesives, etc. Also described herein is the synthesis of linear α-olefins by the oligomerization of ethylene using as a catalyst system a combination a nickel compound having a selected α-diimine ligand and a selected Lewis or Bronsted acid, or by contacting selected α-diimine nickel complexes with ethylene.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/891,224, filedJul. 10, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,493, which is a division ofapplication Ser. No. 08/590,650, filed Jan. 24, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No.5,880,241, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/473,590, filed Jun. 7, 1995, now abandoned, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/415,283, filed Apr. 3,1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 08/378,044, filed Jan. 24, 1995, now abandoned, and which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from provisional application Ser. No.60/002,654, filed Aug. 22, 1995, and No. 60/007,375, filed Nov. 15,1995.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns novel homo- and copolymers of ethylene and/or oneor more acyclic olefins, and/or selected cyclic olefins, and optionallyselected ester, carboxylic acid, or other functional group containingolefins as comonomers; selected transition metal containingpolymerization catalysts; and processes for making such polymers,intermediates for such catalysts, and new processes for making suchcatalysts. Also disclosed herein is a process for the production oflinear alpha-olefins by contacting ethylene with a nickel compound ofthe formula [DAB]NiX₂ wherein DAB is a selected α-diimine and X ischlorine, bromine, iodine or alkyl, and a selected Lewis or Bronstedacid, or by contacting ethylene with other selected α-diimine nickelcomplexes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Homo- and copolymers of ethylene (E) and/or one or more acyclic olefins,and/or cyclic olefins, and/or substituted olefins, and optionallyselected olefinic esters or carboxylic acids, and other types ofmonomers, are useful materials, being used as plastics for packagingmaterials, molded items, films, etc., and as elastomers for moldedgoods, belts of various types, in tires, adhesives, and for other uses.It is well known in the art that the structure of these variouspolymers, and hence their properties and uses, are highly dependent onthe catalyst and specific conditions used during their synthesis. Inaddition to these factors, processes in which these types of polymerscan be made at reduced cost are also important. Therefore, improvedprocesses for making such (new) polymers are of interest. Also disclosedherein are uses for the novel polymers.

α-Olefins are commercial materials being particularly useful as monomersand as chemical intermediates. For a review of α-olefins, includingtheir uses and preparation, see B. Elvers, et al., Ed., Ullmann'sEncyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5th Ed., Vol. A13, VCHVerlagsgesellschaft mbH, Weinheim, 1989, p. 238-251. They are useful aschemical intermediates and they are often made by the oligomerization ofethylene using various types of catalysts. Therefore catalysts which arecapable or forming α-olefins from ethylene are constantly sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a polyolefin, which contains about 80 to about150 branches per 1000 methylene groups, and which contains for every 100branches that are methyl, about 30 to about 90 ethyl branches, about 4to about 20 propyl branches, about 15 to about 50 butyl branches, about3 to about 15 amyl branches, and about 30 to about 140 hexyl or longerbranches.

This invention also concerns a polyolefin which contains about 20 toabout 150 branches per 1000 methylene groups, and which contains forevery 100 branches that are methyl, about 4 to about 20 ethyl branches,about 1 to about 12 propyl branches, about 1 to about 12 butyl branches,about 1 to about 10 amyl branches, and 0 to about 20 hexyl or longerbranches.

Disclosed herein is a polymer, consisting essentially of repeat unitsderived from the monomers, ethylene and a compound of the formulaCH₂═CH(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹, wherein R¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl, and m is 0 or an integer from 1 to 16, and which containsabout 0.01 to about 40 mole percent of repeat units derived from saidcompound, and provided that said repeat units derived from said compoundare in branches of the formula —CH(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R¹, in about 30 to about70 mole percent of said branches n is 5 or more, in about 0 to about 20mole percent n is 4, in about 3 to 60 mole percent n is 1, 2 and 3, andin about 1 to about 60 mole percent n is 0.

This invention concerns a polymer of one or more alpha-olefins of theformula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(a)H wherein a is an integer of 2 or more, whichcontains the structure (XXV)

wherein R³⁵ is an alkyl group and R³⁶ is an alkyl group containing twoor more carbon atoms, and provided that R³⁵ is methyl in about 2 molepercent or more of the total amount of (XXV) in said polymer.

This invention also includes a polymer of one or more alpha-olefins ofthe formula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(a)H wherein a is an integer of 2 or more,wherein said polymer contains methyl branches and said methyl branchescomprise about 25 to about 75 mole percent of the total branches.

This invention also concerns a polyethylene containing the structure(XXVII) in an amount greater than can be accounted for by end groups,and preferably at least 0.5 or more of such branches per 1000 methylenegroups than can be accounted for by end groups.

This invention also concerns a polypropylene. containing one or both ofthe structures (XXVIII) and (XXIX) and in the case of (XXIX) in amountsgreater than can be accounted for by end groups. Preferably at least 0.5more of (XXIX) branches per 1000 methylene groups than can be accountedfor by end groups, and/or at least 0.5 more of (XXVIII) per 1000methylene groups are present in the polypropylene.

Also described herein is an ethylene homopolymer with a density of 0.86g/ml or less.

Described herein is a process for the polymerization of olefins,comprising, contacting a transition metal complex of a bidentate ligandselected from the group consisting of

with an olefin wherein:

said olefin is selected from the group consisting of ethylene, an olefinof the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclobutene, cyclopentene,norbornene, or substituted norbornene;

said transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr,Sc, V, Cr, a rare earth metal, Fe, Co, Ni or Pd;

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl, or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene substitutedhydrocarbylene to form a carbocyclic ring;

R⁴⁴ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and R²⁸ is hydrogen,hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl or R⁴⁴ and R²⁸ taken togetherform a ring;

R⁴⁵ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and R²⁹ is hydrogen,substituted hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyl, or R⁴⁵ and R²⁹ taken togetherform a ring;

each R³⁰ is independently hydrogen, substituted hydrocarbyl orhydrocarbyl, or two of R³⁰ taken together form a ring;

R²⁰ and R²³ are independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl;

R²¹ and R²² are each in independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

n is 2 or 3;

R¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl;

and provided that:

said transition metal also has bonded to it a ligand that may bedisplace by said olefin or add to said olefin;

when M is Pd, said bidentate ligand is (VIII), (XXXII) or (XXIII);

when M is Pd a diene is not present; and

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is used no other olefin ispresent.

Described herein is a process for the copolymerization of an olefin anda fluorinated olefin, comprising, contacting a transition metal complexof a bidentate ligand selected from the group consisting of

with an olefin, and a fluorinated olefin wherein:

said olefin is selected from the group consisting of ethylene and anolefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷;

said transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Ni andPd;

said fluorinated olefin is of the formula H₂C═CH(CH₂)_(a)R_(f)R⁴²;

a is an integer of 2 to 20; R_(f) is perfluoroalkylene optionallycontaining one or more ether groups;

R⁴² is fluorine or a functional group;

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl, or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene substitutedhydrocarbylene to form a carbocyclic ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently saturated hydrocarbyl;

and provided that said transition metal also has bonded to it a ligandthat may be displaced by said olefin or add to said olefin.

This invention also concerns a copolymer of an olefin of the formulaR¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷ and a fluorinated olefin of the formulaH₂C═CH(CH₂)_(a)R_(f)R⁴², wherein:

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrogen or saturated hydrocarbyl;

a is an integer of 2 to 20; R_(f) is perfluoroalkylene optionallycontaining one or more ether groups; and

R⁴² is fluorine or a functional group;

provided that when both of R¹⁷ are hydrogen and R⁴² is fluorine, R_(f)is —(CF₂)_(b)— wherein b is 2 to 20 or perfluoroalkylene containing atleast one ether group.

Described herein is a process for the polymerization of olefins,comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about+200° C.:

a first compound W, which is a neutral Lewis acid capable of abstractingeither Q⁻ or S⁻ to form WQ⁻ or WS⁻, provided that the anion formed is aweakly coordinating anion; or a cationic Lewis or Bronsted acid whosecounterion is a weakly coordinating anion;

a second compound of the formula

 and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting ofethylene, an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,cyclobutene, cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, or norbornene;

wherein:

M is Ti, Zr, Sc, V, Cr, a rare earth metal, Fe, Co, Ni or Pd the moxidation state;

y+z=m

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl, or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

Q is alkyl, hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide;

S is alkyl, hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide; and

provided that:

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, no other monomeris present;

when M is Pd a diene is not present; and

except when M is Pd, when both Q and S are each independently chloride,bromide or iodide W is capable of transferring a hydride or alkyl groupto M.

This invention includes a process for the production of polyolefins,comprising contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about +200°C., one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclobutene,cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene; with a compound ofthe formula

wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl, or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

n is 2 or 3;

z is a neutral Lewis base wherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfuror oxygen, provided that if the donating atom is nitrogen then the pKaof the conjugate acid of that compound is less than about 6;

X is a weakly coordinating anion;

R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

M is Ni(II) or Pd(II);

each R¹⁶ is independently hydrogen or alkyl containing 1 to 10 carbonatoms;

n is 1, 2, or 3;

R⁸ is hydrocarbyl; and

T² is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,hydrocarbyl substituted with keto or ester groups but not containingolefinic or acetylenic bonds, R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

and provided that:

when M is Pd a diene is not present; and

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is used no other monomer ispresent.

This invention includes a process for the production of polyolefins,comprising contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about +200°C., one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclobutene,cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene; with a compound ofthe formula

wherein:

R⁴⁴ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and R²⁸ is hydrogen,hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl or R⁴⁴ and R²⁸ taken togetherform a ring;

R⁴⁵ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and R²⁹ is hydrogen,substituted hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyl, or R⁴⁵ and R²⁹ taken togetherform a ring;

each R³⁰ is independently hydrogen, substituted hydrocarbyl orhydrocarbyl, or two of R³⁰ taken together form a ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

R²⁰ and R²³ are independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl;

R²¹ and R²² are each in independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl;

T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

Z is a neutral Lewis base wherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfuror oxygen, provided that if the donating atom is nitrogen then the pKaof the conjugate acid of that compound is less than about 6; and

X is a weakly coordinating anion; and

provided that:

when M is Pd or (XVIII) is used a diene is not present; and

in (XVII) M is not Pd.

This invention includes a process for the production of polyolefins,comprising contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about +200°C., one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, 4-vinylcyclohexene,cyclobutene, cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene; witha compound of the formula

wherein:

R²⁰ and R²³ are independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl;

R²¹ and R²² are each in independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl;

T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,R¹⁵C (═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

Z is a neutral Lewis base wherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfuror oxygen, provided that if the donating atom is nitrogen then the pKaof the conjugate acid of that compound is less than about 6;

X is a weakly coordinating anion;

R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

M is Ni(II) or Pd(II);

T² is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,hydrocarbyl substituted with keto or ester groups but not containingolefinic or acetylenic bonds, R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

and provided that:

when M is Pd a diene is not present; and

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is used no other monomer ispresent.

Described herein is a process for the production for polyolefins,comprising contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about +200°C.,

a first compound W, which is a neutral Lewis acid capable of abstractingeither Q⁻ or S to form WQ⁻ or WS⁻, provided that the anion formed is aweakly coordinating anion; or a cationic Lewis or Bronsted acid whosecounterion is a weakly coordinating anion;

a second compound of the formula

 and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting ofethylene, an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,cyclobutene, cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, or norbornene;

wherein:

M is Ti, Zr, V, Cr, a rare earth metal, Co, Fe, Sc, or Ni, of oxidationstate m;

R⁴⁴ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and R²⁸ is hydrogen,substituted hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyl, or R⁴⁴ and R²⁸ taken togetherform a ring;

R⁴⁵ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and R²⁹ is hydrogen,substituted hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyl, or R⁴⁵ and R²⁹ taken togetherform a ring;

each R³⁰ is independently hydrogen, substituted hydrocarbyl orhydrocarbyl, or two of R³⁰ taken together form a ring;

n is 2 or 3;

y and z are positive integers;

y+z=m;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

Q is alkyl, hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide;

S is alkyl, hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide; and

provided that;

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, no other monomeris present.

Disclosed herein is a process for the production of polyolefins,comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about+200° C., one or more monomers selected from the group consisting ofethylene, an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,cyclobutene, cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene;optionally a source of X; with a compound of the formula

wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atomhas at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene substitutedhydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that R¹⁷ contains no olefinic bonds;

T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds;

E is halogen or —OR¹⁵;

R¹⁸ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds; and

X is a weakly coordinating anion;

provided that, when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, noother monomer is present.

Described herein is a process for the polymerization of olefins,comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about+200° C.:

a first compound W, which is a neutral Lewis acid capable of abstractingeither Q⁻ or S to form WQ³¹ or WS⁻, provided that the anion formed is aweakly coordinating anion; or a cationic Lewis or Bronsted acid whosecounterion is a weakly coordinating anion;

a second compound of the formula

 and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting ofethylene, an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,4-vinylcyclohexene, cyclobutene, cyclopentene, substituted norbornene,or norbornene;

wherein:

M is Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(II), or Pd(II);

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

Q is alkyl, hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide;

S is alkyl, hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide; and

provided that;

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, no other monomeris present;

when M is Pd a diene is not present; and

except when M is Pd, when both Q and S are each independently chloride,bromide or iodide W is capable of transferring a hydride or alkyl groupto M.

Included herein is a polymerization process, comprising, contacting acompound of the formula [Pd(R¹³CN)₄]X₂ or a combination of Pd[OC(O)R⁴⁰]₂and HX; a compound of the formula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclopentene,cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene; wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that R¹⁷ contains no olefinic bonds;

R¹³ is hydrocarbyl;

R⁴⁰ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl and

X is a weakly coordinating anion;

provided that, when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, noother monomer is present.

Also described herein is a polymerization process, comprising;

contacting Ni[0], Pd[0] or Ni[I] compound containing a ligand which maybe displaced by a ligand of the formula (VIII), (XXX), (XXXII) or(XXIII);

a second compound of the formula

 an oxidizing agent;

a source of a relatively weakly coordinating anion;

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclopentene,cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene;

wherein:

R² and R are each independently hydrocarbyl or. substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

R¹³ is hydrocarbyl;

R⁴⁴ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and R²⁸ is hydrogen,hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl or R⁴⁴ and R²⁸ taken togetherform a ring;

R⁴⁵ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and R²⁹ is hydrogen,substituted hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyl, or R⁴⁵ and R²⁹ taken togetherform a ring;

each R³⁰ is independently hydrogen, substituted hydrocarbyl orhydrocarbyl, or two of R³⁰ taken together form a ring;

R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogenatom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R⁴⁸ and R⁴⁹ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substitutedhydrocarbyl;

R²⁰ and R²³ are independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl;

n is 2 or 3;

R²¹ and R²² are each in independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl; and

X is a weakly coordinating anion;

provided that;

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, no other monomeris present;

when said Pd[0] compound is used, a diene is not present; and

when said second compound is (XXX) only an Ni[0] or Ni[I] compound isused.

Described herein is a polymerization process, comprising, contacting anNi[0] complex containing a ligand or ligands which may be displaced by(VIII), oxygen, an alkyl aluminum compound, and a compound of theformula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclopentene,cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene; wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring; and

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

provided that, when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, noother monomer is present.

A polymerization process, comprising, contacting oxygen and an alkylaluminum compound, or a compound of the formula HX, and a compound ofthe formula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclopentene,cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene; wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring; and

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

X is a weakly coordinating anion; and

provided that, when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, noother monomer is present.

Described herein is a polymerization process, comprising, contacting anNi[0] complex containing a ligand or ligands which may be displaced by(VIII), HX or a Bronsted acidic solid, and a compound of the. formula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclopentene,cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene; wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms; and

X is a weakly coordinating anion;

provided that, when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, noother monomer is present

Described herein is a process for the polymerization of olefins,comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about+200° C.:

a first compound W, which is a neutral Lewis acid capable of abstractingeither Q⁻ or S⁻ to form WQ⁻ or WS⁻, provided that the anion formed is aweakly coordinating anion; or a cationic Lewis or Bronsted acid whosecounterion is a weakly coordinating anion;

a second compound of the formula

 and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting ofethylene, an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,cyclobutene, cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, or norbornene;

wherein:

M is Ni(II) or Pd(II)

R²⁰ and R²³ are independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl;

R²¹ and R²² are each in independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

Q is alkyl, hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide;

S is alkyl, hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide; and

provided that;

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, no other monomeris present;

when M is Pd a diene is not present; and

except when M is Pd, when both Q and S are each independently chloride,bromide or iodide W is capable of transferring a hydride or alkyl groupto M.

This invention also concerns a process for the polymerization ofolefins, comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. toabout +200° C., a compound of the formula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclopentene,cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene; wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R²⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that R¹⁷ contains no olefinic bonds; and

each R²⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl;

each X is a weakly coordinating anion;

provided that, when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, noother monomer is present.

This invention also concerns a process for the polymerization ofolefins, comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. toabout +200° C.:

a first compound W, which is a neutral Lewis acid capable of abstractingeither Q⁻ or S⁻ to form WQ⁻ or WS⁻, provided that the anion formed is aweakly coordinating anion; or a cationic Lewis or Bronsted acid whosecounterion is a weakly coordinating anion;

a second compound of the formula

 and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting ofethylene, an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,cyclopentene, cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene;wherein:

R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogenatom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R⁴⁸ and R⁴⁹ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substitutedhydrocarbyl;

each R³¹ is independently hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl orhydrogen;

M is Ti, Zr, Co, V, Cr, a rare earth metal, Fe, Sc, Ni, or Pd ofoxidation state m;

y and z are positive integers;

y+z=m;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

Q is alkyl, hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide;

S is alkyl, hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide; and

provided that;

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, no other monomeris present;

when M is Pd a diene is not present; and

except when M is Pd, when both Q and S are each independently chloride,bromide or iodide W is capable of transferring a hydride or alkyl groupto M.

Disclosed herein is a compound of the formula

wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

Z is a neutral Lewis base wherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfuror oxygen, provided that if the donating atom is nitrogen then the pKaof the conjugate acid of that compound is less than about 6;

X is a weakly coordinating anion; and

R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds;

provided that when R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene to form acarbocyclic ring, Z is not an organic nitrile.

Described herein is a compound of the formula

wherein:

R⁵⁰ is substituted phenyl;

R⁵¹ is phenyl or substituted phenyl;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

and provided that groups in the 2 and 6 positions of R⁵⁰ have adifference in E_(s) of about 0.60 or more.

Described herein is a compound of the formula

wherein:

R⁵² is substituted phenyl;

R⁵³ is phenyl or substituted phenyl;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

Q is alkyl, hydride, chloride, bromide or iodide;

S is alkyl, hydride, chloride, bromide or iodide;

and provided that;

groups in the 2 and 6 positions of R⁵² have a difference in E_(s) of0.15 or more; and

when both Q and S are each independently chloride, bromide or iodide Wis capable of transferring a hydride or alkyl group to Ni.

This invention includes a compound of the formula

wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene, to form a ring;

T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing an olefinic or acetylenic bond;

Z is a neutral Lewis acid wherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfuror oxygen, provided that, if the donating atom is nitrogen, then the pKaof the conjugate acid of that compound is less than about 6; and

X is a weakly coordinating anion.

This invention also concerns a compound of the formula

wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

M is Ni(II) or Pd(II);

each R¹⁶ is independently hydrogen or alkyl containing 1 to 10 carbonatoms;

n is 1, 2, or 3;

X is a weakly coordinating anion; and

R⁸ is hydrocarbyl.

Also disclosed herein is a compound of the formula

wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atomhas at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

E is halogen or —OR¹⁸;

R¹⁸ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds;

T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds; and

X is a weakly coordinating anion.

Included herein is a compound of the formula [(η⁴-1,5-COD)PdT¹Z]⁺X⁻,wherein:

T¹ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds;

X is a weakly coordinating anion;

COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene;

Z is R¹⁰CN; and

R¹⁰ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds.

Also included herein is a compound of the formula

wherein:

M is Ni(II) or Pd(II);

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atomhas at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹¹ is independently hydrogen, alkyl or —(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹;

T³ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,or —CH₂CH₂CH₂CO₂R⁸;

P is a divalent group containing one or more repeat units derived fromthe polymerization of one or more of ethylene, an olefin of the formulaR¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclobutene, cyclopentene, substitutednorbornene, or norbornene and, when M is Pd(II), optionally one or moreof: a compound of the formula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹, CO, or a vinylketone;

R⁸ is hydrocarbyl;

m is 0 or an integer from 1 to 16,

R¹ is hydrogen, or hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl containing 1to 10 carbon atoms;

and X is a weakly coordinating anion;

provided that, when M is Ni(II), R¹¹ is not —CO₂R⁸.

Also described herein is a compound of the formula

wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

T² is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,hydrocarbyl substituted with keto or ester groups but not containingolefinic or acetylenic bonds, R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds; and

X is a weakly coordinating anion.

Included herein is a process for the production of polyolefins,comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about+200° C., a compound of the formula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclobutene,cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene, wherein:

M is Ni(II) or Pd(II);

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atomhas at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹¹ is independently hydrogen, alkyl or —(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹;

T³ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,or —CH₂CH₂CH₂CO₂R⁸;

P is a divalent group containing one or more repeat units derived fromthe polymerization of one or monomers selected from the group consistingof ethylene, an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,cyclopentene, cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene, and,when M is Pd(II), optionally one or more of: a compound of the formulaCH₂═CH(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹, CO or a vinyl ketone;

R⁸ is hydrocarbyl;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms; R¹ is hydrogen, or hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms;

m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 16;

and X is a weakly coordinating anion;

provided that:

when M is Pd a diene is not present;

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, no other monomeris present; and

further provided that, when M is Ni(II), R¹¹ is not —CO₂R⁸.

Included herein is a process for the production of polyolefins,comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about+200° C., a compound of the formula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclobutene,cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene, wherein:

M is Zr, Ti, Sc, V, Cr, a rare earth metal, Fe, Co, Ni or Pd ofoxidation state m;

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atomhas at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹¹ is independently hydrogen, or alkyl, or both of R¹¹ takentogether are hydrocarbylene to form a carbocyclic ring;

T³ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,or —CH₂CH₂CH₂CO₂R⁸;

P is a divalent group containing one or more repeat units derived fromthe polymerization of one or monomers selected from the group consistingof ethylene, an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,cyclopentene, cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene, and,when M is Pd(II), optionally one or more of: a compound of the formulaCH₂═CH(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹, CO, or a vinyl ketone;

R⁸ is hydrocarbyl;

a is 1 or 2;

y+a+1=m;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms; R¹ is hydrogen, or hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms;

m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 16;

and X is a weakly coordinating anion;

provided that:

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, no other monomeris present;

when M is Pd a diene is not present; and

further provided that, when M is Ni(II), R¹¹ is not —CO₂R⁸.

Also described herein is a compound of the formula

wherein:

M is Zr, Ti, Sc, V, Cr, a rare earth metal, Fe, Co, Ni or Pd ofoxidation state m;

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atomhas at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹¹ is independently hydrogen, or alkyl, or both of R¹¹ takentogether are hydrocarbylene to form a carbocyclic ring;

T³ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,or —CH₂CH₂CH₂CO₂R⁸;

P is a divalent group containing one or more repeat units derived fromthe polymerization of one or monomers selected from the group consistingof ethylene, an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,cyclopentene, cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene, andoptionally, when M is Pd(II), one or more of: a compound of the formulaCH₂═CH (CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹, CO, or a vinyl ketone;

Q is a monovalent anion;

R⁸ is hydrocarbyl;

a is 1 or 2;

y+a+=m;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

R¹ is hydrogen, or hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl containing 1to 10 carbon atoms;

m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 16; and

and X is a weakly coordinating anion;

and provided that when M is Pd a diene is not present.

Described herein is a process, comprising, contacting, at a temperatureof about −40° C. to about +60° C., a compound of the formula[(η⁴-1,5-COD)PdT¹Z]⁺X⁻ and a diimine of the formula

to produce a compound of the formula

wherein:

T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

X is a weakly coordinating anion;

COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene;

Z is R¹⁰CN;

R¹⁰ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds;

R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds;

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it; and

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring.

Described herein is a process, comprising, contacting, at a temperatureof about −80° C. to about +20° C., a compound of the formula(η⁴-1,5-COD)PdMe₂ and a diimine of the formula

to produce compound of the formula

wherein:

COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene;

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it; and

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring.

Also disclosed herein is a compound of the formula

wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstitutes hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R²⁷ is hydrocarbyl; and

each X is a weakly coordinating anion.

This invention includes a compound of the formula

wherein:

M is Ni(II) or Pd(II);

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atomhas at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹⁴ is independently hydrogen, alkyl or —(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹;

R¹ is hydrogen, or hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl containing 1to 10 carbon atoms;

T⁴ is alkyl, —R⁶⁰C(O)OR⁸, R¹⁵(C═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds;

R⁶⁰ is alkylene not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds;

R⁸ is hydrocarbyl;

and X is a weakly coordinating anion;

and provided that when R¹⁴ is —(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹, or T⁴ is not alkyl, M isPd(II).

Describes herein is a homopolypropylene with a glass transitiontemperature of −30° C. or less, and containing at least about 50branchesper 1000 methylene groups.

This invention also concerns a homopolymer of cyclopentene having adegree of polymerization of about 30 or more and an end of melting pointof about 100° C. to about 320° C., provided that said homopolymer hasless than 5 mole percent of enchained linear olefin containing pentyleneunits.

In addition, disclosed herein is a homopolymer or copolymer ofcyclopentene that has an X-ray powder diffraction pattern that hasreflections at approximately 17.3°, 19.3°, 24.2°, and 40.7° 2θ.

Another novel polymer is a homopolymer of cyclopentene wherein at least90 mole percent of enchained cyclopentylene units are 1,3-cyclopentyleneunits, and said homopolymer has an average degree of polymerization of30 more.

Described herein is ahomopolymer of cyclopentene wherein at least 90mole percent of enchained cyclopentylene units arecis-1,3-cyclopentylene, and said homopolymer has an average degree ofpolymerization of about 10 or more.

Also described is a copolymer of cyclopentene and ethylene wherein atleast 75 mole percent of enchained cyclopentylene units are1,3-cyclopentylene units.

This invention concerns a copolymer of cyclopentene and ethylene whereinthere are at least 20 branches per 1000 methylene carbon atoms.

Described herein is a copolymer of cyclopentene and ethylene wherein atleast 50 mole percent of the repeat units are derived from cyclopentene.

Disclosed herein is a copolymer of cyclopentene and an α-olefin.

This invention also concerns a polymerization process, comprising,contacting an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, whereineach R¹⁷ is independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substitutedhydrocarbyl provided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separatedfrom any other olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbonatom or at least two saturated carbon atoms with a catalyst, whereinsaid catalyst:

contains a nickel or palladium atom in a positive oxidation state;

contains a neutral bidentate ligand coordinated to said nickel orpalladium atom, and wherein coordination to said nickel or palladiumatom is through two nitrogen atoms or a nitrogen atom and a phosphorousatom; and

said neutral bidentate ligand, has an Ethylene Exchange Rate of lessthan 20,000 L-mol⁻¹s⁻¹ when said catalyst contains a palladium atom, andless than 50,000 L-mol⁻¹s⁻¹ when said catalyst contains a nickel atom;

and provided that when Pd is present a diene is not present.

Described herein is a process for the polymerization of olefins,comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. to about+200° C.:

a first compound which is a salt of an alkali metal cation and arelatively noncoordinating monoanion;

a second compound of the formula

 and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting ofethylene, an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,cyclobutene, cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, or norbornene;

wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that R¹⁷ contains no olefinic bond;

T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds,R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—;

S is chloride, iodide, or bromide; and

provided that, when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present,no_other monomer is present.

Described herein is a polyolefin, comprising, a polymer made bypolymerizing one or more monomers of the formula H₂C═CH(CH₂)_(e)G bycontacting said monomers with a transition metal containing coordinationpolymerization catalyst, wherein:

each G is independently hydrogen or —CO₂R¹;

each e is independently 0 or an integer of 1 to 20;

each R¹ is independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl;

and provided that:

said polymer has at least 50 branches per 1000 methylene groups;

in at least 50 mole percent of said monomers G is hydrogen; and

except when no branches should be theoretically present, the number ofbranches per 1000 methylene groups is 90% or less than the number oftheoretical branches per 1000 methylene groups, or the number ofbranches per 1000 methylene groups is 110% or more of theoreticalbranches per 1000 methylene groups, and

when there should be no branches theoretically present, said polyolefinhas 50 or more branches per 1000 methylene groups;

and provided that said polyolefin has at least two branches of differentlengths containing less than 6 carbon atoms each.

Also described herein is a polyolefin, comprising, a polymer made bypolymerizing one or more monomers of the formula H₂C═CH(CH₂)_(e)G bycontacting said monomers with a transition metal containing coordinationpolymerization catalyst, wherein:

each G is independently hydrogen or —CO₂R¹;

each e is independently 0 or an integer of 1 to 20;

R¹ is independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl;

and provided that:

said polymer has at least 50 branches per 1000 methylene groups;

in at least 50 mole percent of said monomers G is hydrogen;

said polymer has at least 50 branches of the formula —(CH₂) _(f)G per1000 methylene groups, wherein when G is the same as in a monomer ande≠f, and/or for any single monomer of the formula H₂C═CH(CH₂)_(e)G thereare less than 90% of the number of theoretical branches per 1000methylene groups, or more than 110% of the theoretical branches per 1000methylene groups of the formula —(CH₂)_(f)G and f=e, and wherein f is 0or an integer of 1 or more;

and provided that said polyolefin has at least two branches of differentlengths containing less than 6 carbon atoms.

This invention concerns a process for the formation of linear(α-olefins, comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C.to about +200° C.:

ethylene;

a first compound W, which is a neutral Lewis acid capable of abstractingX⁻to form WX⁻, provided that the anion formed is a weakly coordinatinganion, or a cationic Lewis or Bronsted acid whose counterion is a weaklycoordinating anion; and

a second compound of the formula

 wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring; and

Q and S are each independently chlorine, bromine, iodine or alkyl; and

wherein an α-olefin containing 4 to 40 carbon atoms is produced.

This invention also concerns a process for the formation of linearα-olefins, comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. toabout +200° C.:

ethylene and a compound of the formula

wherein:

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

T¹ is hydrogen or n-alkyl containing up to 38 carbon atoms;

Z is a neutral Lewis base wherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfur,or oxygen, provided that if the donating atom is nitrogen then the pKaof the conjugate acid of that compound (measured in water) is less thanabout 6;

U is n-alkyl containing up to 38 carbon atoms; and

X is a noncoordinating anion;

and wherein an α-olefin containing 4 to 40 carbon atoms is produced.

Another novel process is a process for the formation of linearα-olefins, comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about −100° C. toabout +200° C.:

ethylene;

and a Ni[II] of

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl, or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene substitutedhydrocarbylene to form a carbocyclic ring and

wherein an α-olefin containing 4 to 40 carbon atoms is produced.

Also described herein is a process for the production of polyolefins,comprising, contacting, at a temperature of about 0° C. to about +200°C., a compound of the formula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclobutene,cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene, wherein:

M is Ni(II) or Pd(II);

A is a π-allyl or π-benzyl group;

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atomhas at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

and X is a weakly coordinating anion;

and provided that:

when M is Pd a diene is not present; and

when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, no other monomeris present.

The invention also includes a compound of the formula

wherein:

M is Ni(II) or Pd(II);

A is a π-allyl or π-benzyl group;

R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl,provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atomhas at least two carbon atoms bound to it;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from anyother olefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or atleast two saturated carbon atoms;

and X is a weakly coordinating anion;

and provided that when M is Pd a diene is not present.

This invention also includes a compound of the formula

wherein:

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

R⁵⁴ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that the carbonatom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atom has at least two carbonatoms bound to it;

each R⁵⁵ is independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl, or a functional group;

W is alkylene or substituted alkylene containing 2 or more carbon atoms;

Z is a neutral Lewis base wherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfur,or oxygen, provided that if the donatingatom is nitrogen then the pKa ofthe conjugate acid of that compound (measured in water) is less thanabout 6, or an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrogen, saturated hydrocarbyl or substitutedsaturated hydrocarbyl; and

X is a weakly coordinating anion;

and provided that when M is Ni, W is alkylene and each R¹⁷ isindependently hydrogen or saturated hydrocarbyl.

This invention also includes a process for the production of a compoundof the formula

comprising, heating a compound of the formula

at a temperature of about −30° C. to about +100° for a sufficient timeto produce (XXXVIII), and wherein:

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

R⁵⁴ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that the carbonatom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atom has at least two carbonatoms bound to it;

each R⁵⁵ is independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl, or a functional group;

R⁵⁶ is alkyl containing 2 to 30 carbon atoms;

T⁵ is alkyl;

W is alkylene containing 2 to 30 carbon atoms;

Z is a neutral Lewis base wherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfur,or oxygen, provided that if the donating atom is nitrogen then the pKaof the conjugate acid of that compound (measured in water) is less thanabout 6; and

X is a weakly coordinating anion.

This invention also concerns a process for the polymerization ofolefins, comprising, contacting a compound of the formula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclobutene,cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene, wherein:

R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene orsubstituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring;

R⁵⁴ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that the carbonatom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atom has at least two carbonatoms bound to it;

each R⁵⁵ is independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substitutedhydrocarbyl, or a functional group;

W is alkylene or substituted alkylene containing 2 or more carbon atoms;

Z is a neutral Lewis base wherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfur,or oxygen, provided that if the donating atom is nitrogen then the pKaof the conjugate acid of that compound (measured in water) is less thanabout 6, or an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷;

each R¹⁷ is independently hydrogen, saturated hydrocarbyl or substitutedsaturated hydrocarbyl; and

X is a weakly coordinating anion;

and provided that:

when M is Ni, W is alkylene and each R¹⁷ is independently hydrogen orsaturated hydrocarbyl;

and when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present, no othermonomer is present.

This invention also concerns a homopolypropylene containing about 10 toabout 700 δ+ methylene groups per 1000 total methylene groups in saidhomopolypropylene.

Described herein is a homopolypropylene wherein the ratio of δ+:γmethylene groups is about 0.5 to about 7.

Also included herein is a homopolypropylene in which about 30 to about85 mole percent of the monomer units are enchained in an ω,1 fashion.

DETAILS OF THE INVENTION

Herein certain terms are used to define certain chemical groups orcompounds. These terms are defined below.

A “hydrocarbyl group” is a univalent group containing only carbon andhydrogen. If not otherwise stated, it is preferred that hydrocarbylgroups herein contain 1 to about 30 carbon atoms.

By “not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds” is meant the groupingdoes not contain olefinic carbon-carbon double bonds (but aromatic ringsare not excluded) and carbon-carbon triple bonds.

By “substituted hydrocarbyl” herein is meant a hydrocarbyl group whichcontains one or more substituent groups which are inert under theprocess conditions to which the compound containing these groups issubjected. The substituent groups also do not substantially interferewith the process. If not otherwise stated, it is preferred thatsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups herein contain 1 to about 30 carbonatoms. Included in the meaning of “substituted” are heteroaromaticrings.

By an alkyl aluminum compound is meant a compound in which at least onealkyl group is bound to an aluminum atom. Other groups such as alkoxide,oxygen, and halogen may also be bound to aluminum atoms in the compound.

By “hydrocarbylene” herein is meant a divalent group containing onlycarbon and hydrogen. Typical hydrocarbylene groups are —(CH₂)₄—,—CH₂CH(CH₂CH₃)CH₂CH₂— and

If not otherwise stated, it is preferred that hydrocarbylene groupsherein contain 1 to about 30 carbon atoms.

By “substituted hydrocarbylene” herein is meant a hydrocarbylene groupwhich contains one or more substituent groups which are inert under theprocess conditions to which the compound containing these groups issubjected. The substituent groups also do not substantially interferewith the process. If not otherwise stated, it is preferred thatsubstituted hydrocarbylene groups herein contain 1 to about 30 carbonatoms. Included within the meaning of “substituted” are heteroaromaticrings.

By substituted norbornene is meant a norbornene which is substitutedwith one or more groups which does not interfere substantially with thepolymerization. It is preferred that substituent groups (if they containcarbon atoms) contain 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Examples of substitutednorbornenes are ethylidene norbornene and methylene norbornene.

By “saturated hydrocarbyl” is meant a univalent group containing onlycarbon and hydrogen which contains no unsaturation, such as olefinic,acetylenic, or aromatic groups. Examples of such groups include alkyland cycloalkyl. If not otherwise stated, it is preferred that saturatedhydrocarbyl groups herein contain 1 to about 30 carbon atoms.

By “neutral Lewis base” is meant a compound, which is not an ion, whichcan act as a Lewis base. Examples of such compounds include ethers,amines, sulfides, and organic nitrites.

By “cationic Lewis acid” is meant a cation which can act as a Lewisacid. Examples of such cations are sodium and silver cations.

By “α-olefin” is meant a compound of the formula CH₂═CHR¹⁹, wherein R¹⁹is n-alkyl or branched alkyl, preferably n-alkyl.

By “linear α-olefin” is meant a compound of the formula CH₂═CHR¹⁹,wherein R^(·)is n-alkyl. It is preferred that the linear α-olefin have 4to 40 carbon atoms.

By a “saturated carbon atom” is meant a carbon atom which is bonded toother atoms by single bonds only. Not included in saturated carbon atomsare carbon atoms which are part of aromatic rings.

By a quaternary carbon atom is meant a saturated carbon atom which isnot bound to any hydrogen atoms. A preferred quaternary carbon atom isbound to four other carbon atoms.

By an olefinic bond is meant a carbon-carbon double bond, but does notinclude bonds in aromatic rings.

By a rare earth metal is meant one of lanthanum, cerium, praeseodymium,neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium,dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium or lutetium.

This invention concerns processes for making polymers, comprising,contacting one or more selected olefins or cycloolefins, and optionallyan ester or carboxylic acid of the formula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹, andother selected monomers, with a transition metal containing catalyst(and possibly other catalyst components). Such catalysts are, forinstance, various complexes of a diimine with these metals. By a“polymerization process herein (and the polymers made therein)” is meanta process which produces a polymer with a degree of polymerization (DP)of about 20 or more, preferably about 40 or more [except where otherwisenoted, as in P in compound (VI)] By “DP” is meant the average number ofrepeat (monomer) units in the polymer.

One of these catalysts may generally be written as

wherein: M is Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(II) or Pd(II); R² and R⁵ are eachindependently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that thecarbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has at least two carbonatoms bound to it; R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen,hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together arehydrocarbylene or substituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring; Q is alkyl,hydride, chloride, iodide, or bromide; and S is alkyl, hydride,chloride, iodide, or bromide. Preferably M is Ni(II) or Pd(II).

In a preferred form of (I), R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen orhydrocarbyl. If Q and/or S⁻ is alkyl, it is preferred that the alkylcontains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and more preferably is methyl.

Another useful catalyst is

wherein: R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogenatom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it; R³ and R⁴ are eachindependently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or R³ andR⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene or substituted hydrocarbylene toform a ring; T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic oracetylenic bonds, R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—; Z is a neutral Lewis basewherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen, provided that,if the donating atom is nitrogen, then the pKa of the conjugate acid ofthat compound is less than about 6; X is a weakly coordinating anion;and R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds.

In one preferred form of (II), R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogenor hydrocarbyl. In a more preferred form of (II), T¹ is alkyl, and T¹ isespecially preferably methyl. It is preferred that Z is R⁶ ₂O or R⁷CN,wherein each R⁶ is independently hydrocarbyl and R⁷ is hydrocarbyl. Itis preferred that R⁶ and R⁷ are alkyl, and it is more preferred thatthey are methyl or ethyl. It is preferred that X³¹ is BAF, SbF₆, PF₆ orBF₄.

Another useful catalyst is

wherein: R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogenatom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it; R³ and R⁴ are eachindependently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbylene, orR³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene or substitutedhydrocarbylene to form a ring; T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl notcontaining olefinic or acetylenic bonds, R¹⁵C (═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—; Z isa neutral Lewis base wherein the donating atom is nitrogen, sulfur oroxygen, provided that if the donating atom is nitrogen then the pKa ofthe conjugate acid of that compound is less than about 6; X is a weaklycoordinating anion; and R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic oracetylenic bonds.

In one preferred form of (III), R³ and R⁴ are each independentlyhydrogen, hydrocarbyl. In a more preferred form of (III) T¹ is alkyl,and T¹ is especially preferably methyl. It is preferred that Z is R⁶ ₂Oor R⁷CN, wherein each R⁶ is independently hydrocarbyl and R⁷ ishydrocarbyl. It is preferred that R⁶ and R⁷ are alkyl, and it isespecially preferred that they are methyl or ethyl. It is preferred thatX is BAF⁻, SbF₆ ⁻, PF₆ ⁻ or BF₄ ⁻.

Relatively weakly coordinating anions are known to the artisan. Suchanions are often bulky anions, particularly those that may delocalizetheir negative charge. Suitable weakly coordinating anions in thisApplication include (Ph)₄B⁻ (Ph═phenyl),tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (herein abbreviated BAF),PF₆ ⁻, BF₄ ⁻, SbF₆ ⁻, trifluoromethanesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate,(R_(f)SO₂)₂N⁻, and (C₆F₅)₄B⁻. Preferred weakly coordinating anionsinclude BAF⁻, PF₆ ⁻, BF₄ ⁻, and SbF₆ ⁻.

Also useful as a polymerization catalyst is a compound of the formula

wherein: R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogenatom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it; R³ and. R⁴ are eachindependently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or R³ andR⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene or substituted hydrocarbylene toform a ring; M is Ni(II) or Pd(II); each R¹⁶ is independently hydrogenor alkyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; n is 1, 2, or 3; X is a weaklycoordinating anion; and R⁸ is hydrocarbyl.

It is preferred that n is 3, and all of R¹⁶ are hydrogen. It is alsopreferred that R⁸ is alkyl or substituted alkyl, especially preferredthat it is alkyl, and more preferred that R⁸ is methyl.

Another useful catalyst is

wherein: R² and R⁵ are hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, providedthat the carbon atom bound directly to the imino nitrogen atom has atleast two carbon atoms bound to it; R³ and R⁴ are each independentlyhydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ takentogether are hydrocarbylene or substituted hydrocarbylene to form aring; T¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenicbonds, R¹⁵C(═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—; R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containingolefinic or acetylenic bonds; E is halogen or —OR¹⁸; R¹⁸ is hydrocarbylnot containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds; and X is a weaklycoordinating anion. It is preferred that T¹ is alkyl containing 1 to 4carbon atoms, and more preferred that it is methyl. In other preferredcompounds (V), R³ and R⁴ are methyl or hydrogen and R² and R⁵ are2,6-diisopropylphenyl and X is BAF. It is also preferred that E ischlorine.

Another useful catalyst is a compound of the formula

wherein: R² and R⁵ are each independently hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogenatom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it; R³ and R⁴ are eachindependently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or R³ andR⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene or substituted hydrocarbylene toform a ring; T² is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic oracetylenic bonds, hydrocarbyl substituted with keto or ester groups butnot containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds, R¹⁵C (═O)— or R¹⁵OC (═O)—;R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic bonds; and X isa weakly coordinating anion. In a more preferred form of (VII), T² isalkyl containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and T² is especially preferablymethyl. It is preferred that X is perfluoroalkylsulfonate, especiallytrifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate). If X⁻ is an extremely weaklycoordinating anion such as BAF, (VII) may not form. Thus it may be saidthat (VII) forms usually with weakly, but perhaps not extremely weakly,coordinating anions.

In all compounds, intermediates, catalysts, processes, etc. in whichthey appear it is preferred that R² and R⁵ are each independentlyhydrocarbyl, and in one form it is especially preferred that R² and R⁵are both 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, particularly when R³ and R⁴ are eachindependently hydrogen or methyl. It is also preferred that R³ and R⁴are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or taken togetherhydrocarbylene to form a carbocyclic ring.

Compounds of the formula (I) wherein M is Pd, Q is alkyl and S ishalogen may be made by the reaction of the corresponding1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) Pd complex with the appropriate diimine. When Mis Ni, (I) can be made by the displacement of a another ligand, such asa dialkylether or a polyether such as 1,2-dimethoxyethane, by anappropriate diimine.

Catalysts of formula (II), wherein X⁻ is BAF, may be made by reacting acompound of formula (I) wherein Q is alkyl and S is halogen, with aboutone equivalent of an alkali metal salt, particularly the sodium salt, ofHBAF, in the presence of a coordinating ligand, particularly a nitrilesuch as acetonitrile. When X⁻ is an anion such as BAF⁻, SbF₆ ⁻ or BF₄ ⁻the same starting palladium compound can be reacted with the silver saltAgX.

However, sometimes the reaction of a diimine with a 1,5-COD Pd complexas described above to make compounds of formula (II) may be slow and/orgive poor conversions, thereby rendering it difficult to make thestarting material for (II) using the method described in the precedingparagraph. For instance when: R²═R⁵═Ph₂CH— and R³═R⁴═H; R²═R⁵═Ph— andR³═R⁴═Ph; R²═R⁵═2-t-butylphenyl and R³═R⁴═CH₃; R²═R⁵═α-naphthyl andR³═R⁴═CH₃; and R²═R⁵50 2-phenylphenyl and R³═R⁴═CH₃ difficulty may beencountered in making a compound of formula (II).

In these instances it has been found more convenient to prepare (II) byreacting [(η⁴-1,5-COD)PdT¹Z]⁺X⁻, wherein T¹ and X are as defined aboveand Z is an organic nitrile ligand, preferably in an organic nitrilesolvent, with a diimine of the formula

By a “nitrile solvent” is meant a solvent that is at least 20 volumepercent nitrile compound. The product of this reaction is (II), in whichthe Z ligand is the nitrile used in the synthesis. In a preferredsynthesis, T¹ is methyl and the nitrile used is the same as in thestarting palladium compound, and is more preferably acetonitrile. Theprocess is carried out in solution, preferably when the nitrile issubstantially all of the solvent, at a temperature of about −40° C. toabout +60° C., preferably about 0° C. to about 30° C. It is preferredthat the reactants be used in substantially equimolar quantities.

The compound [(η⁴-1,5-COD)PdT¹Z]⁺X⁻, wherein T¹ is alkyl, Z is anorganic nitrile and X is a weakly coordinating anion may be made by thereaction of [(η⁴-1,5-COD)PdT¹A, wherein A is Cl, Br or I and T¹ is alkylwith the silver salt of X⁻, AgX, or if X is BAF with an alkali metalsalt of HBAF, in the presence of an organic nitrile, which of coursewill become the ligand T¹. In a preferred process A is Cl, T¹ is alkyl,more preferably methyl, and the organic nitrile is an alkyl nitrile,more preferably acetonitrile. The starting materials are preferablypresent in approximately equimolar amounts, except for the nitrile whichis present preferably in excess. The solvent is preferably anon-coordinating solvent such as a halocarbon. Methylene chloride isuseful as such a solvent. The process preferably is carried out at atemperature of about −40° C. to about +50° C. It is preferred to excludewater and other hydroxyl containing compounds from the process, and thismay be done by purification of the ingredients and keeping the processmass under an inert gas such as nitrogen.

Compounds of formula (II) [or (III) when the metal is nickel] can alsobe made by the reaction of

with a source of the conjugate acid of the anion X, the acid HX or itsequivalent (such as a trityl salt) in the presence of a solvent which isa weakly coordinating ligand such as a dialkyl ether or an alkylnitrile. It is preferred to carry out this reaction at about −80° C. toabout 30° C.

Compounds of formula (XXXXI) can be made by a process, comprising,contacting, at a temperature of about −80° C. to about +20° C., acompound of the formula η⁴-1,5-COD)PdMe₂ and a diimine of the formula

wherein: COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene; R² and R⁵ are each independentlyhydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atombound to the imino nitrogen atom has at least two carbon atoms bound toit; and R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl,substituted hydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbyleneor substituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring. It is preferred that thetemperature is about −50° C. to about +10° C. It is also preferred thatthe two starting materials be used in approximately equimolarquantities, and/or that the reaction be carried out in solution. It ispreferred that R² and R⁵ are both 2-t-butylphenyl or2,5-di-t-butylphenyl and that R³ and R⁴ taken together are An, or R³ andR⁴ are both hydrogen or methyl.

Compounds of formula (IV) can be made by several routes. In one method acompound of formula (II) is reacted with an acrylate ester of theformula CH₂═CHCO₂R¹ wherein R¹ is as defined above. This reaction iscarried out in a non-coordinating solvent such as methylene chloride,preferably using a greater than 1 to 50 fold excess of the acrylateester. In a preferred reaction, Q is methyl, and R¹ is alkyl containing1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably methyl. The process is carried outat a temperature of about −100° C. to about +100° C., preferably about0° C. to about 50° C. It is preferred to exclude water and otherhydroxyl containing compounds from the process, and this may be done bypurification of the ingredients and keeping the process mass under aninert gas such as nitrogen.

Alternatively, (IV) may be prepared by reacting (I), wherein Q is alkyland S is Cl, Br or I with a source of an appropriate weakly coordinatinganion such as AgX or an alkali metal salt of BAF and an acrylate ester(formula as immediately above) in a single step. Approximately equimolarquantities of (I) and the weakly coordinating anion source arepreferred, but the acrylate ester may be present in greater than 1 to 50fold excess. In a preferred reaction, Q is methyl, and R¹ is alkylcontaining 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably methyl. The process ispreferably carried out at a temperature of about −100° C. to about +100°C., preferably about 0° C. to about 50° C. It is preferred to excludewater and other hydroxyl containing compounds from the process, and thismay be done by purification of the ingredients and keeping the processmass under an inert gas such as nitrogen.

In another variation of the preparation of (IV) from (I) the source ofthe weakly coordinating anion is a compound which itself does notcontain an anion, but which can combine with S [of (I)] to form such aweakly coordinating anion. Thus in this type of process by “source ofweakly coordinating anion” is meant a compound which itself contains theanion which will become X⁻, or a compound which during the process cancombine with other process ingredients to form such an anion.

Catalysts of formula (V), wherein X⁻ is BAF⁻, may be made by reacting acompound of formula (I) wherein Q is alkyl and S is halogen, with aboutone-half of an equivalent of an alkali metal salt, particularly thesodium salt, of HBAF. Alternatively, (V) containing other anions may beprepared by reacting (I), wherein Q is alkyl and S is Cl, Br or I withone-half equivalent of a source of an appropriate weakly coordinatinganion such as AgX.

Some of the nickel and palladium compounds described above are useful inprocesses for polymerizing various olefins, and optionally alsocopolymerizing olefinic esters, carboxylic acids, or other functionalolefins, with these olefins. When (I) is used as a catalyst, a neutralLewis acid or a cationic Lewis or Bronsted acid whose counterion is aweakly coordinating anion is also present as part of the catalyst system(sometimes called a “first compound” in the claims). By a “neutral Lewisacid” is meant a compound which is a Lewis acid capable for abstractingQ⁻ or S⁻ from (I) to form a weakly coordination anion. The neutral Lewisacid is originally uncharged (i.e., not ionic). Suitable neutral Lewisacids include SbF₅, Ar₃B (wherein Ar is aryl), and BF₃. By a cationicLewis acid is meant a cation with a positive charge such as Ag⁺, H⁺, andNa⁺.

In those instances in which (I) (and similar catalysts which require thepresence of a neutral Lewis acid or a cationic Lewis or Bronsted acid),does not contain an alkyl or hydride group already bonded to the metal(i.e., neither Q⁻ or S is alkyl or hydride), the neutral Lewis acid or acationic Lewis or Bronsted acid also alkylates or adds a hydride to themetal, i.e., causes an alkyl group or hydride to become bonded to themetal atom.

A preferred neutral Lewis acid, which can alkylate the metal, is aselected alkyl aluminum compound, such as R⁹ ₃Al, R⁹ ₂AlCl, R⁹AlCl₂, and“R⁹AlO” (alkylaluminoxanes), wherein R⁹ is alkyl containing 1 to 25carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Suitable alkyl aluminumcompounds include methylaluminoxane (which is an oligomer with thegeneral formula [MeAlO]_(n)), (C₂H₅)₂AlCl, C₂H₅AlCl₂, and[(CH₃)₂CHCH₂]₃Al.

Metal hydrides such as NaBH₄ may be used to bond hydride groups to themetal M.

The first compound and (I) are contacted, usually in the liquid phase,and in the presence of the olefin, and/or 4-vinylcyclohexene,cyclopentene, cyclobutene, substituted norbornene, or norbornene. Theliquid phase may include a compound added just as a solvent and/or mayinclude the monomer(s) itself. The molar ratio of first compound:nickelor palladium complex is about 5 to about 1000, preferably about 10 toabout 100. The temperature at which the polymerization is carried out isabout −100° C. to about +200° C., preferably about −20° C. to about +80°C. The pressure at which the polymerization is carried out is notcritical, atmospheric pressure to about 275 MPa, or more, being asuitable range. The pressure may affect the microstructure of thepolyolefin produced (see below).

When using (I) as a catalyst, it is preferred that R³ and R⁴ arehydrogen, methyl, or taken together are

It is also preferred that both R² and R⁵ are 2,6-diisopropylphenyl,2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,6-diethylphenyl, 4-methylphenyl, phenyl,2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, and 2-t-butylphenyl. When M is Ni(II), it ispreferred that Q and S are each independently chloride or bromide, whilewhen M is Pd(II) it is preferred that Q is methyl, chloride, or bromide,and S is chloride, bromide or methyl. In addition, the specificcombinations of groups in the catalysts listed in Table I are especiallypreferred.

TABLE I R² R³ R⁵ R⁵ Q S M 2,6-i-PrPh H H 2,6-i-PrPh Me Cl Pd 2,6-i-PrPhMe Me 2,6-i-PrPh Me Cl Pd 2,6-i-PrPh An An 2,6-i-PrPh Me Cl Pd 2,6-MePhH H 2,6-MePh Me Cl Pd 4-MePh H H 4-MePh Me Cl Pd 4-MePh Me Me 4-MePh MeCl Pd 2,6-i-PrPh Me Me 2,6-i-PrPh Me Me Pd 2,6-i-PrPh H H 2,6-i-PrPh MeMe Pd 2,6-MePh H H 2,6-MePh Me Me Pd 2,6-i-PrPh H H 2,6-i-PrPh Br Br Ni2,6-i-PrPh Me Me 2,6-i-PrPh Br Br Ni 2,6-MePh H H 2,6-MePh Br Br Ni PhMe Me Ph Me Cl Pd 2,6-EtPh Me Me 2,6-EtPh Me Cl Pd 2,4,6-MePh Me Me2,4,6-MePh Me Cl Pd 2,6-MePh Me Me 2,6-MePh Br Br Ni 2,6-i-PrPh An An2,6-i-PrPh Br Br Ni 2,6-MePh An An 2,6-MePh Br Br Ni 2-t-BuPh An An2-t-BuPh Br Br Ni 2,5-t-BuPh An An 2,5-t-BuPh Br Br Ni 2-i-Pr-6-MePh AnAn 2-i-Pr-6-MePh Br Br Ni 2-i-Pr-6-MePh Me Me 2-i-Pr-6-MePh Br Br Ni2,6-t-BuPh H H 2,6-t-BuPh Br Br Ni 2,6-t-BuPh Me Me 2,6-t-BuPh Br Br Ni2,6-t-BuPh An An 2,6-t-BuPh Br Br Ni 2-t-BuPh Me Me 2-t-BuPh Br Br NiNote In Tables I and II, and elsewhere herein, the following conventionand abbreviations are used. For R² and R⁵, when a substituted phenylring is present, the amount of substitution is indicated by the numberof numbers indicating positions on the phenyl ring, so that for example,2,6-i-PrPh is 2,6-diisopropylphenyl. The following abbreviations areused: i-Pr = isopropyl; Me = methyl; Et = ethyl; t-Bu = t-butyl; Ph =phenyl; Np = naphthyl; An = 1,8-naphthylylene (a divalent radical usedfor both R³ and R⁴, wherein R³ and R⁴ taken together form a ring, whichis part of an acenaphthylene group); OTf = triflate; and BAF =tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate.

Preferred olefins in the polymerization are one or more of ethylene,propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 1-hexene 1-octene, 1-pentene,1-tetradecene, norbornene, and cyclopentene, with ethylene, propyleneand cyclopentene being more preferred. Ethylene (alone as a homopolymer)is specially preferred.

The polymerizations with (I) may be run in the presence of variousliquids, particularly aprotic organic liquids. The catalyst system,monomer(s), and polymer may be soluble or insoluble in these liquids,but obviously these liquids should not prevent the polymerization fromoccurring. Suitable liquids include alkanes, cycloalkanes, selectedhalogenated hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Specific usefulsolvents include hexane, toluene and benzene.

Whether such a liquid is used, and which and how much liquid is used,may affect the product obtained. It may affect the yield,microstructure, molecular weight, etc., of the polymer obtained.

Compounds of formulas (XI), (XIII), (XV) and (XIX) may also be used ascatalysts for the polymerization of the same monomers as compounds offormula (I). The polymerization conditions are the same for (XI),(XIII), (XV) and (XIX) as for (I), and the same Lewis and Bronsted acidsare used as co-catalysts. Preferred groupings R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ (whenpresent) in (XI) and (XIII) are the same as in (I), both in apolymerization process and as compounds in their own right.

Preferred (XI) compounds have the metals Sc(III), Zr(IV), Ni(II), Ni(I),Pd(II), Fe(II), and Co(II). When M is Zr, Ti, Fe, and Sc it is preferredthat all of Q and S are chlorine or bromine more preferably chlorine.When M is Ni or Co it is preferred that all of Q and S are chlorine,bromine or iodine, more preferably bromine.

In (XVII) preferred metals are Ni(II) and Ti(IV). It is preferred thatall of Q and S are halogen. It is also preferred that all of R²⁸, R²⁹,and R³⁰ are hydrogen, and/or that both R⁴⁴ and R⁴⁵ are2,4,6-trimethylphenyl or 9-anthracenyl.

In (XV) it is preferred that both of R³¹ are hydrogen.

In (XIII), (XXIII) and (XXXII) (as polymerization catalysts and as novelcompounds) it is preferred that all of R²⁰, R²¹, R²² and R²³ are methyl.It is also preferred that T¹ and T² are methyl. For (XIII), when M isNi(I) or (II), it is preferred that both Q and S are bromine, while whenM is Pd it is preferred that Q is methyl and S is chlorine.

Compounds (II), (IV) or (VII) will each also cause the polymerization ofone or more of an olefin, and/or a selected cyclic olefin such ascyclobutene, cyclopentene or norbornene, and, when it is a Pd(II)complex, optionally copolymerize an ester or carboxylic acid of theformula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹, wherein m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 16and R¹ is hydrogen or hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, bythemselves (without cocatalysts). However, (III) often cannot be usedwhen the ester is present. When norbornene or substituted norbornene ispresent no other monomer should be present.

Other monomers which may be used with compounds (II), (IV) or (VII)(when it is a Pd(II) complex) to form copolymers with olefins andselected cycloolefins are carbon monoxide (CO), and vinyl ketones of thegeneral formula H₂C═CHC(O)R²⁵, wherein R²⁵ is alkyl containing 1 to 20carbon atoms, and it is preferred that R²⁵ is methyl. In the case of thevinyl ketones, the same compositional limits on the polymers producedapply as for the carboxylic acids and esters described as comonomers inthe immediately preceding paragraph.

CO forms alternating copolymers with the various olefins andcycloolefins which may be polymerized with compounds (II), (IV) or(VII). The polymerization to form the alternating copolymers is donewith both CO and the olefin simultaneously in the process mixture, andavailable to the catalyst. It is also possible to form block copolymerscontaining the alternating CO/(cyclo)olefin copolymers and other blockscontaining just that olefin or other olefins or mixtures thereof. Thismay be done simply by sequentially exposing compounds (II), (IV) or(VII), and their subsequent living polymers, to the appropriate monomeror mixture of monomers to form the desired blocks. Copolymers of CO, a(cyclo)olefin and a saturated carboxylic acid or ester of the formulaCH₂═CH(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹, wherein m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 16 and R¹ ishydrogen or hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, may also be made bysimultaneously exposing the polymerization catalyst or living polymer tothese 3 types of monomers.

The polymerizations may be carried out with (II), (III), (IV) or (VII),and other catalyst molecules or combinations, initially in the solidstate [assuming (II), (III) (IV) or (VII) is a solid] or in solution.The olefin and/or cycloolefin may be in the gas or liquid state(including gas dissolved in a solvent). A liquid, which may or may notbe a solvent for any or all of the reactants and/or products may also bepresent. Suitable liquids include alkanes, cycloalkanes, halogenatedalkanes and cycloalkanes, ethers, water, and alcohols, except that when(III) is used, hydrocarbons should preferably be used as solvents.Specific useful solvents include methylene chloride, hexane, CO₂,chloroform, perfluoro(n-butyltetrahydrofuran) (herein sometimes calledFC-75), toluene, dichlorobenzene, 2-ethylhexanol, and benzene.

It is particularly noteworthy that one of the liquids which can be usedin this polymerization process with (II), (III), (IV) or (VII) is water,see for instance Examples 213-216. Not only can water be present but thepolymerization “medium” may be largely water, and various types ofsurfactants may be employed so that an emulsion polymerization may bedone, along with a suspension polymerization when surfactants are notemployed.

Preferred olefins and cycloolefins in the polymerization using (II),(III) or (IV) are one or more of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene,1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-butene, cyclopentene, 1-tetradecene, andnorbornene; and ethylene, propylene and cyclopentene are more preferred.Ethylene alone is especially preferred.

Olefinic esters or carboxylic acids of the formula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹,wherein R¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl, and mis 0 or an integer of 1 to 16. It is preferred if R¹ hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl and it is more preferred if it is alkylcontaining 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or glycidyl. It is also preferred if mis 0 and/or R¹ is alkyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms. It is preferredto make copolymers containing up to about 60 mole percent, preferably upto about 20 mole percent of repeat units derived from the olefinic esteror carboxylic acid. Total repeat unit units in the polymer herein refernot only to those in the main chain from each monomer unit, but those inbranches or side chains as well.

When using (II), (III), (IV) or (VII) as a catalyst it is preferred thatR³ and R⁴ are hydrogen, methyl, or taken together are

It is also preferred that both R² and R⁵ are 2,6-diisopropylphenyl,2,6-dimethylphenyl, 4-methylphenyl, phenyl, 2,6-diethylphenyl,2,4,6-trimethylphenyl and 2-t-butylphenyl. When (II) is used, it ispreferred that T¹ is methyl, R⁶ is methyl or ethyl and R⁷ is methyl.When (III) is used it is preferred that T¹ is methyl and said Lewis baseis R⁶ ₂O, wherein R⁶ is methyl or ethyl. When (IV) is used it ispreferred that R⁸ is methyl, n is 3 and R¹⁶ is hydrogen. In addition inTable II are listed all particularly preferred combinations as catalystsfor (II), (III), (IV) and (VII).

TABLE II Compound R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ T¹/T²/R⁸ Z M X Type (II) 2,6-i-PrPh Me Me2,6-i-PrPh Me OEt₂ Pd BAF (II) 2,6-i-PrPh H H 2,6-i-PrPh Me OEt₂ Pd BAF(III) 2,6-i-PrPh Me Me 2,6-i-PrPh Me OEt₂ Ni BAF (III) 2,6-i-PrPh H H2,6-i-PrPh Me OEt₂ Ni BAF (II) 2,6-MePh H H 2,6-MePh Me OEt₂ Pd BAF (II)2,6-MePh Me Me 2,6-MePh Me OEt₂ Pd BAF (II) 2,6-i-PrPh Me Me 2,6-i-PrPhMe OEt₂ Pd SbF₆ (II) 2,6-i-PrPh Me Me 2,6-i-PrPh Me OEt₂ Pd BF₄ (II)2,6-i-PrPh Me Me 2,6-i-PrPh Me OEt₂ Pd PF₆ (II) 2,6-i-PrPh H H2,6-i-PrPh Me OEt₂ Pd SbF₆ (II) 2,4,6-MePh Me Me 2,4,6-MePh Me OEt₂ PdSbF₆ (II) 2,6-i-PrPh An An 2,6-i-PrPh Me OEt₂ Pd SbF₆ (II) 2,6-i-PrPh MeMe 2,6-i-PrPh Me NCMe Pd SbF₆ (II) Ph Me Me Ph Me NCMe Pd SbF₆ (II)2,6-EtPh Me Me 2,6-EtPh Me NCMe Pd BAF (II) 2,6-EtPh Me Me 2,6-EtPh MeNCMe Pd SbF₆ (II) 2-t-BuPh Me Me 2-t-BuPh Me NCMe Pd SbF₆ (II) 1-Np MeMe 1-Np Me NCMe Pd SbF₆ (II) Ph₂CH H H Ph₂CH Me NCMe Pd SbF₆ (II) 2-PhPhMe Me 2-PhPh Me NCMe Pd SbF₆ (II) Ph ^(a) ^(a) Ph Me NCMe Pd BAF (IV)2,6-i-PrPh Me Me 2,6-i-PrPh Me ^(b) Pd SbF₆ (IV) 2,6-i-PrPh Me Me2,6-i-PrPh Me ^(b) Pd BAF (IV) 2,6-i-PrPh H H 2,6-i-PrPh Me ^(b) Pd SbF₆(IV) 2,6-i-PrPh Me Me 2,6-i-PrPh Me ^(b) Pd B(C₆F₅)₃Cl (II) Ph Me Me PhMe NCMe Pd SbF₆ (VII) 2,6-i-PrPh Me Me 2,6-i-PrPh Me — Pd OTf (II) Ph PhPh Ph Me NCMe Pd BAF (II) Ph₂CH H H Ph₂CH Me NCMe Pd SbF₂ ^(a)This groupis —CMe₂CH₂CMe₂— ^(b)This group is —(CH₂)₃CO₂Me

When using (II), (III), (IV) or (VII) the temperature at which thepolymerization is carried out is about −100° C. to about +200° C.,preferably about 0° C. to about 150° C., more preferably about 25° C. toabout 100° C. The pressure at which the polymerization is carried out isnot critical, atmospheric pressure to about 275 MPa being a suitablerange. The pressure can affect the microstructure of the polyolefinproduced (see below).

Catalysts of the formulas (II), (III), (IV) and (VII) may also besupported on a solid catalyst (as opposed to just being added as a solidor in solution), for instance on silica gel (see Example 98). Bysupported is meant that the catalyst may simply be carried physically onthe surface of the solid support, may be adsorbed, or carried by thesupport by other means.

When using (XXX) as a ligand or in any process or reaction herein it ispreferred that n is 2, all of R³⁰, R²⁸ and R²⁹ are hydrogen, and both ofR⁴⁴ and R⁴⁵ are 9-anthracenyl.

Another polymerization process comprises contacting a compound of theformula [Pd(R¹³CN)₄]X₂ or a combination of Pd[OC(O)R⁴⁰]₂ and HX, with acompound of the formula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclopentene,cyclobutene, substituted norbornene and norbornene, wherein: R² and R⁵are each independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, providedthat the carbon atom bound to the imino nitrogen atom has at least twocarbon atoms bound to it; R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen,hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together arehydrocarbylene or substituted hydrocarbylene to form a carbocyclic ring;each R¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbylprovided that R¹⁷ contains no olefinic bonds; R⁴⁰ is hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl; and X is a weakly coordinating anion; providedthat when norbornene or substituted norbornene is present no othermonomer is present.

It is believed that in this process a catalyst similar to (II) may beinitially generated, and this then causes the polymerization. Therefore,all of the conditions, monomers (including olefinic esters andcarboxylic acids), etc., which are applicable to the process using (II)as a polymerization catalyst are applicable to this process. Allpreferred items are also the same, including appropriate groups such asR², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and combinations thereof. This process however should berun so that all of the ingredients can contact each other, preferably ina single phase. Initially at least, it is preferred that this is done insolution. The molar ratio of (VIII) to palladium compound used is notcritical, but for most economical use of the compounds, a moderateexcess, about 25 to 100% excess, of (VIII) is preferably used.

As mentioned above, it is believed that in the polymerization using(VIII) and [Pd(R¹³CN)₄]X₂ or a Pd[II] carboxylate a catalyst similar to(II) is formed. Other combinations of starting materials that cancombine into catalysts similar to (II), (III), (IV) and (VII) often alsocause similar polymerizations, see for instance Examples 238 and 239.Also combinations of α-diimines or other diimino ligands describedherein with: a nickel [0] or nickel [I] compound, oxygen, an alkylaluminum compound and an olefin; a nickel [0] or nickel [I] compound, anacid such as HX and an olefin; or an α-diimine Ni[0] or nickel [I]complex, oxygen, an alkyl aluminum compound and an olefin. Thus activecatalysts from α-diimines and other bidentate imino compounds can beformed beforehand or in the same “pot” (in situ) in which thepolymerization takes place. In all of the polymerizations in which thecatalysts are formed in situ, preferred groups on the α-diimines are thesame as for the preformed catalysts.

In general Ni[0], Ni[I] or Ni(II) compounds may be used as precursors toactive catalyst species. They must have ligands which can be displacedby the appropriate bidentate nitrogen ligand, or must already containsuch a bidentate ligand already bound to the nickel atom. Ligands whichmay be displaced include 1,5-cyclooctadiene and tris(o-tolyl)phosphite,which may be present in Ni[0] compounds, or dibenzylideneacetone, as inthe useful Pd[0] precursor tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium[0].These lower valence nickel compounds are believed to be converted intoactive Ni[II] catalytic species. As such they must also be contacted(react with) with an oxidizing agent and a source of a weaklycoordinating anion (X⁻). Oxidizing agents include oxygen, HX (wherein Xis a weakly coordinating anion), and other well known oxidizing agents.Sources of X⁻ include HX, alkylaluminum compounds, alkali metal andsilver salts of X⁻. As can be seen above, some compounds such as HX mayact as both an oxidizing agent and a source of X⁻. Compounds containingother lower valent metals may be converted into active catalyst speciesby similar methods.

When contacted with an alkyl aluminum compound or HX useful Ni[0]compounds include

Various types of Ni[0] compounds are known in the literature. Below arelisted references for the types shown immediately above.

(XXXIII) G. van Koten, et al., Adv. Organometal. Chem., vol. 21, p.151-239 (1982).

(XXXXII) W. Bonrath, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., vol. 29, p.298-300 (1990).

(XXXXIV) H. tom Dieck, et al., Z. Natruforsch., vol. 366, p. 823-832(1981); and M. Svoboda, et al., J. Organometal. Chem., vol. 191, p.321-328 (1980).

(XXXXV) G. van Koten, et al., Adv. Organometal. Chem., vol. 21, p.151-239 (1982).

In polymerizations using (XIV), the same preferred monomers and groups(such as R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and X) as are preferred for the polymerizationusing (II) are used and preferred. Likewise, the conditions used andpreferred for polymerizations with (XIV) are similar to those used andpreferred for (II), except that higher olefin pressures (when the olefinis a gas) are preferred. Preferred pressures are about 2.0 to about 20MPa. (XIV) may be prepared by the reaction of one mole of [Pd(R¹³CN)₄]X₂with one mole of (VIII) in acetonitrile or nitromethane.

Novel compound (XIV) is used as an olefin polymerization catalyst. Inpreferred forms of (XIV), the preferred groups R², R³, R⁴, R⁵and X arethe same as are preferred for compound (II).

Another type of compound which is an olefin polymerization catalyst areπ-allyl and π-benzyl compounds of the formula

wherein M is Ni(II) or Pd(II); R² and R⁵ are hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the iminonitrogen atom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it; R³ and R⁴ areeach independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or R³and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene or substituted hydrocarbyleneto form a ring; X is a weakly coordinating anion; and A is a π-allyl orπ-benzyl group. By a π-allyl group is meant a monoanionic with 3adjacent sp² carbon atoms bound to a metal center in an η³ fashion. Thethree sp² carbon atoms may be substituted with other hydrocarbyl groupsor functional groups. Typical π-allyl groups include

wherein R is hydrocarbyl. By a π-benzyl group is meant π-allyl ligand inwhich two of the sp² carbon atoms are part of an aromatic ring. Typicalπ-benzyl groups include

π-Benzyl compounds usually initiate polymerization of the olefins fairlyreadily even at room temperature, but π-allyl compounds may notnecessarily do so. Initiation of π-allyl compounds can be improved byusing one or more of the following methods:

Using a higher temperature such as about 80° C.

Decreasing the bulk of the α-diimine ligand, such as R² and R⁵ being2,6-dimethylphenyl instead of 2,6-diisopropylphenyl.

Making the π-allyl ligand more bulky, such as using

 rather than the simple π-allyl group itself.

Having a Lewis acid present while using a functional π-allyl or π-benzylgroup. Relatively weak Lewis acids such a triphenylborane,tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, andtris(3,5-trifluoromethylphenyl)borane, are preferred. Suitablefunctional groups include chloro and ester. “Solid” acids such asmontmorillonite may also be used.

When using (XXXVII) as a polymerization catalyst, it is preferred thatethylene and/or a linear α-olefin is the monomer, or cyclopentene, morepreferred if the monomer is ethylene and/or propylene, and ethylene isespecially preferred. A preferred temperature for the polymerizationprocess using (XXXVII) is about +20° C. to about 100° C. It is alsopreferred that the partial pressure due to ethylene or propylene monomeris at least about 600 kPa. It is also noted that (XXXVII) is a novelcompound, and preferred items for (XXXVII) for the polymerizationprocess are also preferred for the compound itself.

Another catalyst for the polymerization of olefins is a compound of theformula

and one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene,an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclobutene,cyclopentene, substituted norbornene, and norbornene,

wherein: R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl,substituted hydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbyleneor substituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring; R⁵⁴ is hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound directly tothe imino nitrogen atom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it; eachR⁵⁵ is independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, ora functional group; W is alkylene or substituted alkylene containing 2or more carbon atoms; Z is a neutral Lewis base wherein the donatingatom is nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen, provided that if the donating atomis nitrogen then the pKa of the conjugate acid of that compound(measured in water) is less than about 6, or an olefin of the formulaR¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷; each R¹⁷ is independently alkyl or substituted alkyl; and Xis a weakly coordinating anion. It is preferred that in compound(XXXVIII) that: R⁵⁴ is phenyl or substituted phenyl, and preferredsubstituents are alkyl groups; each R⁵⁶ is independently hydrogen oralkyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; W contains 2 carbon atoms betweenthe phenyl ring and metal atom it is bonded to or W is a divalentpolymeric group derived from the polymerization of R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, and itis especially preferred that it is —CH(CH₃)CH₂— or —C(CH₃)₂CH₂—; and Zis a dialkyl ether or an olefin of the formula R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷; andcombinations thereof. W is an alkylene group in which each of the twofree valencies are to different carbon atoms of the alkylene group.

When W is a divalent group formed by the polymerization of R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷,and Z is R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, the compound (XXXVIII) is believed to be a livingended polymer. That end of W bound to the phenyl ring actually is theoriginal fragment from R⁵⁶ from which the “bridge” W originally formed,and the remaining part of W is formed from the olefin(s) R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷. Ina sense this compound is similar in function to compound (VI).

By substituted phenyl in (XXXVIII) and (XXXIX) is meant the phenyl ringcan be substituted with any grouping which does not interfere with thecompound's stability or any of the reactions the compound undergoes.Preferred substituents in substituted phenyl are alkyl groups,preferably containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

Preferred monomers for this polymerization are ethylene and linearα-olefins, or cyclopentene, particularly propylene, and ethylene andpropylene or both are more preferred, and ethylene is especiallypreferred.

It is noted that (XXXVIII) is a novel compound, and preferred compoundsand groupings are the same as in the polymerization process.

Compound (XXXVIII) can be made by heating compound (XXXIX),

wherein: R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl,substituted hydrocarbyl or R³ and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbyleneor substituted hydrocarbylene to form a ring; R⁵⁴ is hydrocarbyl orsubstituted hydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound directly tothe imino nitrogen atom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it; eachR⁵⁵ is independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, ora functional group; R⁵⁶ is alkyl containing 2 to 30 carbon atoms; T³ isalkyl; Z is a neutral Lewis base wherein the donating atom is nitrogen,sulfur, or oxygen, provided that if the donating atom is nitrogen thenthe pKa of the conjugate acid of that compound (measured in water) isless than about 6; and X is a weakly coordinating anion. Preferredgroups are the same as those in (XXXVIII). In addition it is preferredthat T⁵ contain 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and more preferred that it ismethyl. A preferred temperature for the conversion of (XXXIX) to(XXXVIII) is about −30° C. to about 50° C. Typically the reaction takesabout 10 min. to about 5 days, the higher the temperature, the fasterthe reaction. Another factor which affects the reaction rate is thenature of Z. The weaker the Lewis basicity of Z, the faster the desiredreaction will be.

When (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VII), (VIII) or a combination of compoundsthat will generate similar compounds, (subject to the conditionsdescribed above) is used in the polymerization of olefins, cyclolefins,and optionally olefinic esters or carboxylic acids, polymer having whatis believed to be similar to a “living end” is formed. This molecule isthat from which the polymer grows to its eventual molecular weight. Thiscompound may have the structure

wherein: M is Ni(II) or Pd(II); R² and R⁵ are hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the iminonitrogen atom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it; R³ and R⁴ areeach independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or R³and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene or substituted hydrocarbyleneto form a ring; each R¹¹ is independently hydrogen, alkyl or—(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹; T³ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic oracetylenic bonds, R¹⁵ (C═O)—, R¹⁵O(C═O)—, or —CH₂CH₂CH₂CO₂R⁸; R¹⁵ ishydrocarbyl not containing olefinic or acetylenic unsaturation; P is adivalent group containing one or more repeat units derived from thepolymerization of one or more of ethylene, an olefin of the formulaR¹⁷CH═CH₂ or R¹⁷CH═CHR¹⁷, cyclobutene, cyclopentene, substitutednorbornene, or norbornene and, when M is Pd(II), optionally one or morecompounds of the formula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹; R⁸ is hydrocarbyl; eachR¹⁷ is independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl providedthat any olefinic bond in said olefin is separated from any otherolefinic bond or aromatic ring by a quaternary carbon atom or at leasttwo saturated carbon atoms; m is 0 or an integer from 1 to 16; R¹ ishydrogen, or hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl containing 1 to 10carbon atoms; and X is a weakly coordinating anion; and that when M isNi(II), R¹¹ is not —CO₂R⁸ and when M is Pd a diene is not present. By an“olefinic ester or carboxylic acid” is meant a compound of the formulaCH₂═CH(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹, wherein m and R¹ are as defined immediately above.

This molecule will react with additional monomer (olefin, cyclic olefin,olefinic ester or olefinic carboxylic acid) to cause furtherpolymerization. In other words, the additional monomer will be added toP, extending the length of the polymer chain. Thus P may be of any size,from one “repeat unit” to many repeat units, and when the polymerizationis over and P is removed from M, as by hydrolysis, P is essentially thepolymer product of the polymerization. Polymerizations with (VI), thatis contact of additional monomer with this molecule takes place underthe same conditions as described above for the polymerization processusing (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VII) or (VIII), or combinations ofcompounds that will generate similar molecules, and where appropriatepreferred conditions and structures are the same.

The group T³ in (VI) was originally the group T¹ in (II) or (III), orthe group which included R⁸ in (IV). It in essence will normally be oneof the end groups of the eventual polymer product. The olefinic groupwhich is coordinated to M, R¹¹CH═CHR¹¹ is normally one of the monomers,olefin, cyclic olefin, or, if Pd(II) is M, an olefinic ester orcarboxylic acid. If more than one of these monomers is present in thereaction, it may be any one of them. It is preferred that T³ is alkyland especially preferred that it is methyl, and it is also preferredthat R¹¹ is hydrogen or n-alkyl. It is also preferred that M is Pd(II).

Another “form” for the living end is (XVI).

This type of compound is sometimes referred to as a compound in the“agostic state”. In fact both (VI) and (XVI) may coexist together in thesame polymerization, both types of compound representing living ends. Itis believed that (XVI)-type compounds are particularly favored when theend of the growing polymer chain bound to the transition metal isderived from a cyclic olefin such as cyclopentene. Expressed in terms ofthe structure of (XVI) this is when both of R¹¹ are hydrocarbylene toform a carbocyclic ring, and it is preferred that this be afive-membered carbocyclic ring.

For both the polymerization process using (XVI) and the structure of(XVI) itself, the same conditions and groups as are used and preferredfor (VI) are also used and preferred for (XVI), with the exception thatfor R¹¹ it is preferred in (XVI) that both of R¹¹ are hydrocarbylene toform a carbocyclic ring.

This invention also concerns a compound of the formula

wherein: M is Ni(II) or Pd(II); R² and R⁵ are hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl, provided that the carbon atom bound directly to the iminonitrogen atom has at least two carbon atoms bound to it; R¹ and R⁴ areeach independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or R³and R⁴ taken together are hydrocarbylene or substituted hydrocarbyleneto form a ring; each R¹⁴ is independently hydrogen, alkyl or [when M isPd(II)] —(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R¹; R¹ is hydrogen, or hydrocarbyl or substitutedhydrocarbyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; T⁴ is alkyl, —R⁶⁰C(O)OR²,R¹⁵(C═O)— or R¹⁵OC(═O)—; R¹⁵ is hydrocarbyl not containing olefinic oracetylenic bonds; R⁶⁰ is alkylene not containing olefinic or acetylenicbonds; R⁸ is hydrocarbyl; and X is a weakly coordinating anion.

(IX) may also be used to polymerize olefins, cyclic olefins, andoptionally olefinic esters and carboxylic acids. The same conditions(except as noted below) apply to the polymerizations using (IX) as theydo for (VI). It is preferred that M is Pd(II) and T⁴ is methyl.

A compound of formula (V) may also be used as a catalyst for thepolymerization of olefins, cyclic olefins, and optionally olefinicesters and/or carboxylic acids. In this process (V) is contacted withone or more of the essential monomers. Optionally a source of arelatively weakly coordinating anion may also be present. Such a sourcecould be an alkali metal salt of BAF or AgX (wherein X is the anion),etc. Preferably about 1 mole of the source of X, such as AgX, will beadded per mole of (V). This will usually be done in the liquid phase,preferably in which (V) and the source of the anion are at leastpartially soluble. The conditions of this polymerization are otherwisethe same as described above for (II), (III), (IV) and (VII), includingthe preferred conditions and ingredients.

In polymerizations using (XX) as the catalyst, a first compound which isa source of a relatively noncoordinating monoanion is present. Such asource can be an alkali metal or silver salt of the monoanion.

It is preferred that the alkali metal cation is sodium or potassium. Itis preferred that the monoanion is SbF₆, BAF, PF₆, or BF₄ ⁻, and morepreferred that it is BAF. It is preferred that T¹ is methyl and/or S⁻ ischlorine. All other preferred groups and conditions for thesepolymerizations are the same as for polymerizations with (II).

In all of the above polymerizations, and the catalysts for making themit is preferred that R² and R⁵, if present, are 2,6-diisopropylphenyland R³ and R⁴ are hydrogen or methyl. When cyclopentene is polymerized,is preferred that R² and R⁵ (if present) are 2,6-dimethylphenyl or2,4,6-trimethylphenyl and that R³ and R⁴ taken together are An. R², R³,R⁴ and R⁵ and other groups herein may also be substituted hydrocarbyl.As previously defined, the substituent groups in substituted hydrocarbylgroups (there may be one or more substituent groups) should notsubstantially interfere with the polymerization or other reactions thatthe compound is undergoing. Whether a particular group will interferecan first be judged from the artisans general knowledge and theparticular polymerization or other reaction that is involved. Forinstance, in polymerizations where an alkyl aluminum compound is usedmay not be compatible with the presence of groups containing an active(relatively acidic) hydrogen atom, such as hydroxyl or carboxyl becauseof the known reaction of alkyl aluminum compounds with such activehydrogen containing groups (but such polymerizations may be possible ifenough “extra” alkyl aluminum compound is added to react with thesegroups). However, in very similar polymerizations where alkyl aluminumcompounds are not present, these groups containing active hydrogen maybe present. Indeed many of the polymerization processes described hereinare remarkably tolerant to the presence of various functional groups.Probably the most important considerations as to the operability ofcompounds containing any particular functional group are the effect ofthe group on the coordination of the metal atom (if present), and sidereaction of the group with other process ingredients (such as notedabove). Therefore of course, the further away from the metal atom thefunctional group is, the less likely it is to influence, say, apolymerization. If there is doubt as to whether a particular functionalgroup, in a particular position, will affect a reaction, simple minimalexperimentation will provide the requisite answer. Functional groupswhich may be present in R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and other similar radicalsherein include hydroxy, halo (fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo), ether,ester, dialkylamino, carboxy, oxo (keto and aldehyo), nitro, amide,thioether, and imino. Preferred functional groups are hydroxy, halo,ether and dialkylamino.

Also in all of the polymerizations, the (cyclo)olefin may be substitutedhydrocarbyl. Suitable substituents include ether, keto, aldehyde, ester,carboxylic acid.

In all of the above polymerizations, with the exceptions noted below,the following monomer(s), to produce the corresponding homo- orcopolymers, are preferred to be used: ethylene; propylene; ethylene andpropylene; ethylene and an α-olefin; an α-olefin; ethylene and an alkylacrylate, especially methyl acrylate; ethylene and acrylic acid;ethylene and carbon monoxide; ethylene, and carbon monoxide and anacrylate ester or acrylic acid, especially methyl acrylate; propyleneand alkyl acrylate, especially methyl acrylate; cyclopentene;cyclopentene and ethylene; cyclopentene and propylene. Monomers whichcontain a carbonyl group, including esters, carboxylic acids, carbonmonoxide, vinyl ketones, etc., can be polymerized with Pd(II) containingcatalysts herein, with the exception of those that require the presenceof a neutral or cationic Lewis acid or cationic Bronsted acid, which isusually called the “first compound” in claims describing suchpolymerization processes.

Another useful “monomer” for these polymerization processes is a C₄refinery catalytic cracker stream, which will often contain a mixture ofn-butane, isobutane, isobutene, 1-butene, 2-butenes and small amounts ofbutadiene. This type of stream is referred to herein as a “crude butenesstream”. This stream may act as both the monomer source and “solvent”for the polymerization. It is preferred that the concentration of 1- and2-butenes in the stream be as high as possible, since these are thepreferred compounds to be polymerized. The butadiene content should beminimized because it may be a polymerization catalyst poison. Theisobutene may have been previously removed for other uses. After beingused in the polymerization (during which much or most of the 1-butenewould have been polymerized), the butenes stream can be returned to therefinery for further processing.

In many of the these polymerizations certain general trends may benoted, although for all of these trends there are exceptions. Thesetrends (and exceptions) can be gleaned from the Examples.

Pressure of the monomers (especially gaseous monomers such as ethylene)has an effect on the polymerizations in many instances. Higher pressureoften affects the polymer microstructure by reducing branching,especially in ethylene containing polymers. This effect is morepronounced for Ni catalysts than Pd catalysts. Under certain conditionshigher pressures also seem to give higher productivities and highermolecular weight. When an acrylate is present and a Pd catalyst is used,increasing pressure seems to decrease the acrylate content in theresulting copolymer.

Temperature also affects these polymerizations. Higher temperatureusually increases branching with Ni catalysts, but often has little sucheffect using Pd catalysts. With Ni catalysts, higher temperatures appearto often decrease molecular weight. With Pd catalysts, when acrylatesare present, increasing temperature usually increases the acrylatecontent of the polymer, but also often decreases the productivity andmolecular weight of the polymer.

Anions surprisingly also often affect molecular weight of the polymerformed. More highly coordinating anions often give lower molecularweight polymers. Although all of the anions useful herein are relativelyweakly coordinating, some are more strongly coordinating than others.The coordinating ability of such anions is known and has been discussedin the literature, see for instance W. Beck., et al., Chem. Rev., vol.88 p. 1405-1421 (1988), and S. H. Strauss, Chem. Rev., vol. 93, p.927-942.(1993), both of which are hereby included by reference. Theresults found herein in which the molecular weight of the polymerproduced is related to the coordinating ability of the anion used, is inline with the coordinating abilities of these anions as described inBeck (p. 1411) and Strauss (p. 932, Table II).

In addition to the “traditional” weakly coordinating anions cited in theparagraph immediately above, heterogeneous anions may also be employed.In these cases, the true nature of the counterion is poorly defined orunknown. Included in this group are MAO, MMAO and related aluminoxaneswhich do not form true solutions. The resulting counterions are thoughtto bear anionic aluminate moieties related to those cited in theparagraph immediately above. Polymeric anionic materials such as Nafionpolyfluorosulfonic acid can function as non-coordinating counterions. Inaddition, a wide variety of heterogeneous inorganic materials can bemade to function as non-coordinating counterions. Examples would includealuminas, silicas, silica/aluminas, cordierites, clays, MgCl₂, and manyothers utilized as traditional supports for Ziegler-Natta olefinpolymerization catalysts. These are generally materials which have Lewisor Bronsted acidity. High surface area is usually desired and oftenthese materials will have been activated through some heating process.Heating may remove excess surface water and change the surface acidityfrom Bronsted to Lewis type. Materials which are not active in the rolemay often be made active by surface treatment. For instance, asurface-hydrated silica, zinc oxide or carbon can be treated with anorganoaluminum compound to provide the required functionality.

The catalysts described herein can be heterogenized through a variety ofmeans. The heterogeneous anions in the paragraph immediately above willall serve to heterogenize the catalysts. Catalysts can also beheterogenized by exposing them to small quantities of a monomer toencapsulate them in a polymeric material through which additionalmonomers will diffuse. Another method is to spray-dry the catalyst withits suitable non-coordinating counterion onto a polymeric support.Heterogeneous versions of the catalyst are particularly useful forrunning gas-phase polymerizations. The catalyst is suitably diluted anddispersed on the surface of the catalyst support to control the heat ofpolymerization. When applied to fluidized-bed polymerizations, theheterogeneous supports provide a convenient means of catalystintroduction.

Anions have been found to have another unexpected effect. They caneffect the amount of incorporation of an acrylic monomer such as anester into an olefin/acrylic copolymer. For instance it has been foundthat SbF₆ ⁻ anion incorporates more fluorinated alkyl acrylate esterinto an ethylene copolymer than BAF anion, see for instance Example 302.

Another item may effect the incorporation of polar monomers such asacrylic esters in olefin copolymers. It has been found that catalystscontaining less bulky α-diimines incorporate more of the polar monomerinto the polymer (one obtains a polymer with a higher percentage ofpolar monomer) than a catalyst containing a more bulky α-diimine,particularly when ethylene is the olefin comonomer. For instance, in anα-diimine of formula (VIII), if R² and R⁵ are 2,6-dimethylphenyl insteadof 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, more acrylic monomer will be incorporated intothe polymer. However, another common effect of using a less bulkycatalyst is to produce a polymer with lower molecular weight. Thereforeone may have to make a compromise between polar monomer content in thepolymer and polymer molecular weight.

When an olefinic carboxylic acid is polymerized into the polymer, thepolymer will of course contain carboxyl groups. Similarly in an estercontaining polymer, some or all of the ester groups may be hydrolyzed tocarboxyl groups (and vice versa). The carboxyl groups may be partiallyor completely converted into salts such as metallic salts. Suchpolymeric salts are termed ionomers. Ionomers are useful in adhesives,as ionomeric elastomers, and as molding resins. Salts may be made withions of metals such as Na, K, Zn, Mg, Al, etc. The polymeric salts maybe made by methods known to the artisan, for instance reaction of thecarboxylic acid containing polymers with various compounds of the metalssuch as bases (hydroxides, carbonates, etc.) or other compounds, such asacetylacetonates. Novel polymers that contain carboxylic acid groupsherein, also form novel ionomers when the carboxylic acid groups arepartially or fully converted to carboxylate salts.

When copolymers of an olefinic carboxylic acid or olefinic ester andselected olefins are made, they may be crosslinked by various methodsknown in the art, depending on the specific monomers used to make thepolymer. For instance, carboxyl or ester containing polymers may becrosslinked by reaction with diamines to form bisamides. Certainfunctional groups which may be present on the polymer may be induced toreact to crosslink the polymer. For instance epoxy groups (which may bepresent as glycidyl esters) may be crosslinked by reaction of the epoxygroups, see for instance Example 135.

It has also been found that certain fluorinated olefins, some of themcontaining other functional groups may be polymerized by nickel andpalladium catalysts. Not that these fluorinated olefins are includedwithin the definition of H₂C═CHR¹⁷, wherein R¹⁷ can be considered to besubstituted hydrocarbyl, the substitution being fluorine and possiblyother substituents. Olefins which may be polymerized includeH₂C═CH(CH₂)_(a)R_(f)R⁴² wherein a is an integer of 2 to 20, R_(f) isperfluoroalkylene optionally containing one or more ether groups, andR⁴² is fluorine or a functional group. Suitable functional groupsinclude hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or iodine, ester, sulfonic acid(—SO₃H), and sulfonyl halide. Preferred groups for R⁴² include fluorine,ester, sulfonic acid, and sulfonyl fluoride. A sulfonic acid groupcontaining monomer does not have to be polymerized directly. It ispreferably made by hydrolysis of a sulfonyl halide group already presentin an already made polymer. It is preferred that the perfluoroalkylenegroup contain 2 to 20 carbon atoms and preferred perfluoroalkylenegroups are —(CF₂)_(b)— wherein b is 2 to 20, and —(CF₂)_(d)OCF₂CF₂—wherein d is 2 to 20. A preferred olefinic comonomer is ethylene or alinear α-olefin, and ethylene is especially preferred. Polymerizationsmay be carried out with many of the catalysts described herein, seeExamples 284 to 293.

As described herein, the resulting fluorinated polymers often don'tcontain the expected amount of branching, and/or the lengths of thebranches present are not those expected for a simple vinylpolymerization.

The resulting polymers may be useful for compatibilizing fluorinated andnonfluorinated polymers, for changing the surface characteristics offluorinated or nonfluorinated polymers (by being mixed with them), asmolding resins, etc. Those polymers containing functional groups may beuseful where those functional groups may react or be catalysts. Forinstance, if a polymer is made with a sulfonyl fluoride group (R⁴² issulfonyl fluoride) that group may be hydrolyzed to a sulfonic acid,which being highly fluorinated is well known to be a very strong acid.Thus the polymer may be used as an acid catalyst, for example for thepolymerization of cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran.

In this use it has been found that this polymer is more effective than acompletely fluorinated sulfonic acid containing polymer. For such usesthe sulfonic acid content need not be high, say only 1 to 20 molepercent, preferably about 2 to 10 mole percent of the repeat units inthe polymer having sulfonic acid groups. The polymer may be crosslinked,in which case it may be soluble in the medium (for instancetetrahydrofuran), or it may be crosslinked so it swollen but notdissolved by the medium, Or it may be coated onto a substrate andoptionally chemically attached and/or crosslinked, so it may easily beseparated from the other process ingredients.

One of the monomers that may be polymerized by the above catalysts isethylene (E), either by itself to form a homopolymer, or with α-olefinsand/or olefinic esters or carboxylic acids. The structure of the polymermay be unique in terms of several measurable properties.

These polymers, and others herein, can have unique structures in termsof the branching in the polymer. Branching may be determined by NMRspectroscopy (see the Examples for details), and this analysis candetermine the total number of branches, and to some extent the length ofthe branches. Herein the amount of branching is expressed as the numberof branches per 1000 of the total methylene (—CH₂—) groups in thepolymer, with one exception. Methylene groups that are in an estergrouping, i.e. —CO₂ R, are not counted as part of the 1000 methylenes.These methylene groups include those in the main chain and in thebranches. These polymers, which are E homopolymers, have a branchcontent of about 80 to about 150 branches per 1000 methylene groups,preferably about 100 to about 130 branches per 1000 methylene groups.These branches do not include polymer end groups. In addition thedistribution of the sizes (lengths) of the branches is unique. Of theabove total branches, for every 100 that are methyl, about 30 to about90 are ethyl, about 4 to about 20 are propyl, about 15 to about 50butyl, about 3 to about 15 are amyl, and about 30 to about 140 are hexylor longer, and it is preferred that for every 100 that are methyl, about50 to about 75 are ethyl, about 5 to about 15 are propyl, about 24 toabout 40 are butyl, about 5 to 10 are amyl, and about 65 to about 120are hexyl or larger. These E homopolymers are often amorphous, althoughin some there may be a small amount of crystallinity.

Another polyolefin, which is an E homopolymer that can be made by thesecatalysts has about 20 to about 150 branches per 1000 methylene groups,and, per 100 methyl groups, about 4 to about 20 ethyl groups, about 1 toabout 12 propyl groups, about 1 to about 12 butyl group, about 1 toabout 10 amyl groups, and 0 to about 20 hexyl or larger groups.Preferably this polymer has about 40 to about 100 methyl groups per 1000methylene groups, and per 100 methyl groups, about 6 to about 15 ethylgroups, about 2 to about 10 propyl groups, about 2 to about 10 butylgroups, about 2 to about 8 amyl groups, and about 2 to about 15 hexyl orlarger groups.

Many of the polyolefins herein, including homopolyethylenes, may becrosslinked by various methods known in the art, for instance by the useof peroxide or other radical generating species which can crosslinkthese polymers. Such crosslinked polymers are novel when theuncrosslinked polymers from which they are derived are novel, becausefor the most part the structural feature(s) of the uncrosslinkedpolymers which make them novel will be carried over into the crosslinkedforms.

In addition, some of the E homopolymers have an exceptionally lowdensity, less than about 0.86 g/mL, preferably about 0.85 g/mL or less,measured at 25° C. This density is based on solid polymer.

Homopolymers of polypropylene (P) can also have unusual structures.Similar effects have been observed with other α-olefins (e.g. 1-hexene).A “normal” P homopolymer will have one methyl group for each methylenegroup (or 1000 methyl groups per 1000 methylene groups), since thenormal repeat unit is —CH(CH₃)CH₂—. However, using a catalyst of formula(I) in which M is Ni(II) in combination with an alkyl aluminum compoundit is possible to produce a P homopolymer with about 400 to about 600methyl groups per 1000 methylene groups, preferably about 450 to about550 methyl groups per 1000 methylene groups. Similar effects have beenobserved with other α-olefins (e.g. 1-hexene)

In the polymerization processes described herein olefinic esters and/orcarboxylic acids may also be present, and of course become part of thecopolymer formed. These esters may be copolymerized with one or more ofE and one or more α-olefins. When copolymerized with E alone polymerswith unique structures may be formed.

In many such E/olefinic ester and/or carboxylic acid copolymers theoverall branching level and the distribution of branches of varioussizes are unusual. In addition, where and how the esters or carboxylicacids occur in the polymer is also unusual. A relatively high proportionof the repeat units derived from the olefinic esters are at the ends ofbranches. In such copolymers, it is preferred that the repeat unitsderived from the olefinic esters and carboxylic acids are about 0.1 to40 mole percent of the total repeat units, more preferably about 1 toabout 20 mole percent. In a preferred ester, m is 0 and R¹ ishydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl. It is preferred that R¹ is alkylcontaining 1 to 220 carbon atoms, more preferred that it contains 1 to 4carbon atoms, and especially preferred that R¹ is methyl.

One such preferred dipolymer has about 60 to 100 methyl groups(excluding methyl groups which are esters) per 1000 methylene groups inthe polymer, and contains, per 100 methyl branches, about 45 to about 65ethyl branches, about 1 to about 3 propyl branches, about 3 to about 10butyl branches, about 1 to about 3 amyl branches, and about 15 to about25 hexyl or longer branches. In addition, the ester and carboxylic acidcontaining repeat units are often distributed mostly at the ends of thebranches as follows. If the branches, and the carbon atom to which theyare attached to the main chain, are of the formula —CH(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R¹,wherein the CH is part of the main chain, then in some of these polymersabout 40 to about 50 mole percent of ester groups are found in brancheswhere n is 5 or more, about 10 to about 20 mole percent when n is 4,about 20 to 30 mole percent when n is 1, 2 and 3 and about 5 to about 15mole percent when n is 0. When n is 0, an acrylate ester has polymerized“normally” as part of the main chain, with the repeat unit—CH₂—CHCO₂R¹—.

These branched polymers which contain olefin and olefinic ester monomerunits, particularly copolymers of ethylene and methyl acrylate and/orother acrylic esters are particularly useful as viscosity modifiers forlubricating oils, particularly automotive lubricating oils.

Under certain polymerization conditions, some of the polymerizationcatalysts described herein produce polymers whose structure is unusual,especially considering from what compounds (monomers) the polymers weremade, and the fact that polymerization catalysts used herein areso-called transition metal coordination catalysts (more than onecompound may be involved in the catalyst system, one of which mustinclude a transition metal). Some of these polymers were described in asomewhat different way above, and they may be described as “polyolefins”even though they may contain other monomer units which are not olefins(e.g., olefinic esters). In the polymerization of an unsaturatedcompound of the formula H₂C═CH(CH₂)_(e)G, wherein e is 0 or an integerof 1 or more, and G is hydrogen or —CO₂R¹, the usual (“normal”)polymeric repeat unit obtained would be —CH₂—CH[(CH₂)_(e)G]—, whereinthe branch has the formula —(CH₂)_(e)G. However, with some of theinstant catalysts a polymeric unit may be —CH₂—CH[(CH₂)_(f)G]—, whereinf≠e, and f is 0 or an integer of 1 or more. If f<e, the “extra”methylene groups may be part of the main polymer chain. If f≠e (partsof) additional monomer molecules may be incorporated into that branch.In other words, the structure of any polymeric unit may be irregular anddifferent for monomer molecules incorporated into the polymer, and thestructure of such a polymeric unit obtained could be rationalized as theresult of “migration of the active polymerizing site” up and down thepolymer chain, although this may not be the actual mechanism. This ishighly unusual, particularly for polymerizations employing transitionmetal coordination catalysts.

For “normal” polymerizations, wherein the polymeric unit—CH₂—CH[(CH₂)_(e)G]— is obtained, the theoretical amount of branching,as measured by the number of branches per 1000 methylene (—CH₂—) groupscan be calculated as follows which defines terms “theoretical branches”or “theoretical branching” herein:${{Theoretical}\quad {branches}} = \frac{1000*{Total}\quad {mole}\quad {fraction}\quad {of}\quad \alpha \text{-}{olefins}}{\begin{matrix}\left\{ {\left\lbrack {\sum\left( {{2*{mole}\quad {fraction}\quad e} = 0} \right)} \right\rbrack +} \right. \\\left. \left\lbrack {\sum\left( {{mole}\quad {fraction}\quad \alpha \text{-}{olefin}*e} \right)} \right\rbrack \right\}\end{matrix}}$

In this equation, an α-olefin is any olefinic compound H₂C═CH(CH₂)_(e)Gwherein e≠0. Ethylene or an acrylic compound are the cases wherein e=0.Thus to calculate the number of theoretical branches in a polymer madefrom 50 mole percent ethylene (e=0), 30 mole percent propylene (e=1) and20 mole percent methyl 5-heptenoate (e=4) would be as follows:$\begin{matrix}{{{Theoretical}\quad {branches}} = \frac{1000*0.5}{\left\{ {\left\lbrack \left( {2*0.5} \right) \right\rbrack + \left\lbrack {\left( {0.30*1} \right) + \left( {0.20*4} \right)} \right\rbrack} \right\}}} \\{= {238\quad {\left( {{branches}\text{/}1000\quad {methylenes}} \right).}}}\end{matrix}$

The “1000 methylenes” include all of the methylene groups in thepolymer, including methylene groups in the branches.

For some of the polymerizations described herein, the actual amount ofbranching present in the polymer is considerably greater than or lessthan the above theoretical branching calculations would indicate. Forinstance, when an ethylene homopolymer is made, there should be nobranches, yet there are often many such branches. When an α-olefin ispolymerized, the branching level may be much lower or higher than thetheoretical branching level. It is preferred that the actual branchinglevel is at 90% or less of the theoretical branching level, morepreferably about 80% or less of the theoretical branching level, or 110%or more of the theoretical branching level, more preferably about 120%or more of the theoretical branching level. The polymer should also haveat least about 50 branches per 1000 methylene units, preferably about 75branches per 1000 methylene units, and more preferably about 100branches per 1000 methylene units. In cases where there are “0” branchestheoretically present, as in ethylene homopolymers or copolymers withacrylics, excess branches as a percentage cannot be calculated. In thatinstance if the polymer has 50 or more, preferably 75 or more branchesper 1000 methylene groups, it has excess branches (i.e. in branches inwhich f>0).

These polymers also have “at least two branches of different lengthscontaining less than 6 carbon atoms each.” By this is meant thatbranches of at least two different lengths (i.e. number of carbonatoms), and containing less than 6 carbon atoms, are present in thepolymer. For instance the polymer may contain ethyl and butyl branches,or methyl and amyl branches.

As will be understood from the above discussion, the lengths of thebranches (“f”) do not necessarily correspond to the original sizes ofthe monomers used (“e”). Indeed branch lengths are often present whichdo not correspond to the sizes of any of the monomers used and/or abranch length may be present “in excess”. By “in excess” is meant thereare more branches of a particular length present than there weremonomers which corresponded to that branch length in the polymer. Forinstance, in the copolymerization of 75 mole percent ethylene and 25mole percent 1-butene it would be expected that there would be 125 ethylbranches per 1000 methylene carbon atoms. If there were more ethylbranches than that, they would be in excess compared to the theoreticalbranching. There may also be a deficit of specific length branches. Ifthere were less than 125 ethyl branches per 1000 methylene groups inthis polymer there would be a deficit. Preferred polymers have 90% orless or 110% or more of the theoretical amount of any branch lengthpresent in the polymer, and it is especially preferred if these branchesare about 80% or less or about 120% or more of the theoretical amount ofany branch length. In the case of the 75 mole percent ethylene/25 molepercent 1-butene polymer, the 90% would be about 113 ethyl branches orless, while the 110% would be about 138 ethyl branches or more. Suchpolymers may also or exclusively contain at least 50 branches per 1000methylene atoms with lengths which should not theoretically (asdescribed above) be present at all.

These polymers also have “at least two branches of different lengthscontaining less than 6 carbon atoms each.” By this is meant thatbranches of at least two different lengths (i.e. number of carbonatoms), and containing less than 6 carbon atoms, are present in thepolymer. For instance the polymer may contain ethyl and butyl branches,or methyl and amyl branches.

Some of the polymers produced herein are novel because of unusualstructural features. Normally, in polymers of alpha-olefins of theformula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(a)H wherein a is an integer of 2 or more made bycoordination polymerization, the most abundant, and often the only,branches present in such polymers have the structure —(CH₂)_(a)H. Someof the polymers produced herein are novel because methyl branchescomprise about 25% to about 75% of the total branches in the polymer.Such polymers are described in Examples 139, 162, 173 and 243-245. Someof the polymers produced herein are novel because in addition to havinga high percentage (25-75%) of methyl branches (of the total branchespresent), they also contain linear branches of the structure (CH₂)_(n)Hwherein n is an integer of six or greater. Such polymers are describedin Examples 139, 173 and 243-245. Some of the polymers produced hereinare novel because in addition to having a high percentage (25-75%) ofmethyl branches (of the total branches present), they also contain thestructure (XXVI), preferably in amounts greater than can be accountedfor by end groups, and more preferably greater than 0.5 (XXVI) groupsper thousand methyl groups in the polymer greater than can be accountedfor by end groups.

Normally, homo- and copolymers of one or more alpha-olefins of theformula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(a)H wherein a is an integer of 2 or more contain aspart of the polymer backbone the structure (XXV)

wherein R³⁵ and R³⁶ are alkyl groups. In most such polymers ofalpha-olefins of this formula (especially those produced bycoordination-type polymerizations), both of R³⁵ and R³⁶ are —(CH₂)_(a)H.However, in certain of these polymers described herein, about 2 molepercent or more, preferably about 5 mole percent or more and morepreferably about 50 mole percent or more of the total amount of (XXV) insaid polymer consists of the structure where one of R³⁵ and R³⁶ is amethyl group and the other is an alkyl group containing two or morecarbon atoms. Furthermore, in certain of these polymers describedherein, structure (XXV) may occur in side chains as well as in thepolymer backbone. Structure (XXV) can be detected by ¹³C NMR. The signalfor the carbon atom of the methylene group between the two methinecarbons in (XXV) usually occurs in the ¹³C NMR at 41.9 to 44.0 ppm whenone of R³⁵ and R³⁶ is a methyl group and the other is an alkyl groupcontaining two or more carbon atoms, while when both R³⁵ and R³⁶ contain2 or more carbon atoms, the signal for the methylene carbon atom occursat 39.5 to 41.9 ppm. Integration provides the relative amounts of thesestructures present in the polymer. If there are interfering signals fromother carbon atoms in these regions, they must be subtracted from thetotal integrals to give correct values for structure (XXV).

Normally, homo- and copolymers of one or more alpha-olefins of theformula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(a)H wherein a is an integer of 2 or more(especially those made by coordination polymerization) contain as partof the polymer backbone structure (XXIV) wherein n is 0, 1, or 2. When nis 0, this structure is termed “head to head” polymerization. When n is1, this structure is termed “head to tail” polymerization. When n is 2,this structure is termed “tail to tail” polymerization. In most suchpolymers of alpha-olefins of this formula (especially those produced bycoordination-type polymerizations), both of R³⁷ and R³⁸ are —(CH₂)_(a)H.However some of the polymers of alpha-olefins of this formula describedherein are novel in that they also contain structure (XXIV) wherein n═a,R³⁷ is a methyl group, and R³⁸ is an alkyl group with 2 or more carbonatoms.

Normally polyethylene made by coordination polymerization has a linearbackbone with either no branching, or small amounts of linear branches.Some of the polyethylenes described herein are unusual in that theycontain structure (XXVII) which has a methine carbon that is not part ofthe main polymer backbone.

Normally, polypropylene made by coordination polymerization has methylbranches and few if any branches of other sizes. Some of thepolypropylenes described herein are unusual in that they contain one orboth of the structures (XXVIII) and (XXIX).

As the artisan understands, in coordination polymerization alpha-olefinsof the formula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(a)H may insert into the growing polymerchain in a 1,2 or 2,1 manner. Normally these insertion steps lead to1,2-enchainment or 2,1-enchainment of the monomer. Both of thesefundamental steps form a —(CH₂)_(a)H branch. However, with somecatalysts herein, some of the initial product of 1,2 insertion canrearrange by migration of the coordinated metal atom to the end of thelast inserted monomer before insertion of additional monomer occurs.This results in omega, 2-enchainment and the formation of a methylbranch.

It is also known that with certain other catalysts, some of the initialproduct of 2,1 insertion can rearrange in a similar manner by migrationof the coordinated metal atom to the end of the last inserted monomer.This results in omega, 1-enchainment and no branch is formed.

Of the four types of alpha-olefin enchainment, omega, 1-enchainment isunique in that it does not generate a branch. In a polymer made from analpha-olefin of the formula CH₂═CH(CH₂)_(a)H, the total number ofbranches per 1000 methylene groups (B) can be expressed as:

B=(1000) (1−X_(ω,1))/[(1−X_(ω,1))a+X_(ω,1)(a+2)]

where X_(ω,1) is the fraction of omega, 1-enchainment

Solving this expression for X_(ω,1) gives:

X_(ω,1)=(1000−aB)/(1000+2B)

This equation provides a means of calculating the fraction of omega,1-enchainment in a polymer of a linear alpha-olefin from the totalbranching B. Total branching can be measured by ¹H NMR or ¹³C NMR.Similar equations can be written for branched alpha-olefins. Forexample, the equation for 4-methyl-1-pentene is:

X_(ω,1)=(2000−2B)/(1000+2B)

Most polymers of alpha-olefins made by other coordination polymerizationmethods have less than 5% omega, 1-enchainment. Some of the alpha-olefinpolymers described herein have unusually large amounts (say >5%) ofomega, 1-enchainment. In essence this is similar to stating that apolymer made from an α-olefin has much less than the “expected” amountof branching. Although many of the polymerizations described herein givesubstantial amounts of ω,1- and other unusual forms of enchainment ofolefinic monomers, it has surprisingly been found that “unsymmetrical”α-diimine ligands of formula (VIII) give especially high amounts ofω,1-enchainment. In particular when R² and R⁵ are phenyl, and one orboth of these is substituted in such a way as different sized groups arepresent in the 2 and 6 position of the phenyl ring(s), ω,1-enchainmentis enhanced. For instance, if one or both of R² and R⁵ are2-t-butylphenyl, this enchainment is enhanced. In this context when R²and/or R⁵ are “substituted” phenyl the substitution may be not only inthe 2 and/or 6 positions, but on any other position in the phenyl ring.For instance, 2,5-di-t-butylphenyl, and 2-t-butyl-4,6-dichlorophenylwould be included in substituted phenyl.

The steric effect of various groupings has been quantified by aparameter called E_(s), see R. W. Taft, Jr., J. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 74,p. 3120-3128, and M. S. Newman, Steric Effects in Organic Chemistry,John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1956, p. 598-603. For the purposes herein,the E_(s) values are those for o-substituted benzoates described inthese publications. If the value for E_(s) for any particular group isnot known, it can be determined by methods described in thesepublications. For the purposes herein, the value of hydrogen is definedto be the same as for methyl. It is preferred that difference in E_(s),when R² (and preferably also R⁵) is phenyl, between the groupssubstituted in the 2 and 6 positions of the phenyl ring is at least0.15, more preferably at least about 0.20, and especially preferablyabout 0.6 or more. These phenyl groups may be unsubstituted orsubstituted in any other manner in the 3, 4 or 5 positions.

These differences in E_(s) are preferred in a diimine such as (VIII),and in any of the polymerization processes herein wherein a metalcomplex containing an α-diimine ligand is used or formed. The synthesisand use of such α-diimines is illustrated in Examples 454-463.

Because of the relatively large amounts of ω,1-enchainment that may beobtained using some of the polymerization catalysts reported hereinnovel polymers can be made. Among these homopolypropylene (PP). In someof the PP's made herein the structure

may be found. In this structure each C^(a) is a methine carbon atom thatis a branch point, while each C^(b) is a methylene group that is morethan 3 carbon atoms removed from any branch point (C^(a)). Hereinmethylene groups of the type —C^(b)H₂— are termed δ+ (or delta+)methylene groups. Methylene groups of the type —C^(d)H₂—, which areexactly the third carbon atom from a branch point, are termed γ (gamma)methylene groups. The NMR signal for the 8+methylene groups occurs atabout 29.75 ppm, while the NMR signal for the γ methylene groups appearsat about 30.15 ppm. Ratios of these types of methylene groups to eachother and the total number of methylene groups in the PP is done by theusual NMR integration techniques.

It is preferred that PP's made herein have about 25 to about 300δ+methylene groups per 1000 methylene groups (total) in the PP.

It is also preferred that the ratio of δ+:γ methylene groups in the PPbe 0.7 to about 2.0.

The above ratios involving δ+ and γ methylene groups in PP are of coursedue to the fact that high relatively high ω,1 enchainment can beobtained. It is preferred that about 30 to 60 mole percent of themonomer units in PP be enchained in an ω,1 fashion. Using the aboveequation, the percent ω,1 enchainment for polypropylene can becalculated as:

% ω,1=(100) (1000−B)/(1000+2B)

wherein B is the total branching (number of methyl groups) per 1000methylene groups in the polymer.

Homo- or copolymers of one or more linear α-olefins containing 3 to 8carbon atoms may also have δ+ carbon atoms in them, preferably at leastabout 1 or more δ+ carbon atoms per 1000 methylene groups.

The above polymerization processes can of course be used to makerelatively random copolymers (except for certain CO copolymers) ofvarious possible monomers. However, some of them can also be used tomake block polymers. A block polymer is conventionally defined as apolymer comprising molecules in which there is a linear arrangement ofblocks, a block being a portion of a polymer molecule which themonomeric units have at least one constitutional or configurationalfeature absent from adjacent portions (definition from H. Mark, et al.,Ed., Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Vol. 2, John Wiley& Sons, New York, 1985, p. 324). Herein in a block copolymer, theconstitutional difference is a difference in monomer units used to makethat block, while in a block homopolymer the same monomer(s) are usedbut the repeat units making up different blocks are different structureand/or ratios of types of structures.

Since it is believed that many of the polymerization processes hereinhave characteristics that often resemble those of livingpolymerizations, making block polymers may be relatively easy. Onemethod is to simply allow monomer(s) that are being polymerized to bedepleted to a low level, and then adding different monomer(s) or thesame combination of monomers in different ratios. This process may berepeated to obtain polymers with many blocks.

Lower temperatures, say about less than 0° C., preferably about −10° toabout −30°, tends to enhance the livingness of the polymerizations.Under these conditions narrow molecular weight distribution polymers maybe obtained (see Examples 367-369 and 371), and block copolymers mayalso be made (Example 370).

As pointed out above, certain polymerization conditions, such aspressure, affect the microstructure of many polymers. The microstructurein turn affects many polymer properties, such as crystallization. Thus,by changing polymerization conditions, such as the pressure, one canchange the microstructure of the part of the polymer made under thoseconditions. This of course leads to a block polymer, a polymer havedefined portions having structures different from other definedportions. This may be done with more than one monomer to obtain a blockcopolymer, or may be done with a single monomer or single mixture ofmonomers to obtain a block homopolymer. For instance, in thepolymerization of ethylene, high pressure sometimes leads to crystallinepolymers, while lower pressures give amorphous polymers. Changing thepressure repeatedly could lead to an ethylene homopolymer containingblocks of amorphous polyethylene and blocks of crystalline polyethylene.If the blocks were of the correct size, and there were enough of them, athermoplastic elastomeric homopolyethylene could be produced. Similarpolymers could possibly be made from other monomer(s), such aspropylene.

Homopolymers of α-olefins such as propylene, that is polymers which weremade from a monomer that consisted essentially of a single monomer suchas propylene, which are made herein, sometimes exhibit unusualproperties compared to their “normal” homopolymers. For instance, such ahomopolypropylene usually would have about 1000 methyl groups per 1000methylene groups. Polypropylenes made herein typically have about halfthat many methyl groups, and in addition have some longer chainbranches. Other α-olefins often give polymers whose microstructure isanalogous to these polypropylenes when the above catalysts are used forthe polymerization.

These polypropylenes often exhibit exceptionally low glass transitiontemperatures (Tg's). “Normal” polypropylene has a Tg of about −17° C.,but the polypropylenes herein have a Tg of −30° C. or less, preferablyabout −35° C. or less, and more preferably about −40° C. or less. TheseTg's are measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry at a heating rateof 10° C./min, and the Tg is taken as the midpoint of the transition.These polypropylenes preferably have at least 50 branches (methylgroups) per 1000 carbon atoms, more preferably at least about 100branches per 1000 methylene groups.

Previously, when cyclopentene was coordination polymerized to highermolecular weights, the resulting polymer was essentially intractablebecause of its very high melting point, greatly above 300° C. Using thecatalysts here to homopolymerize cyclopentene results in a polymer thatis tractable, i.e., may be reformed, as by melt forming. Such polymershave an end of melting point of about 320° C. or less, preferably about300° C. or less, or a melting point of about 275° C. or less, preferablyabout 250° C. or less. The melting point is determined by DifferentialScanning Calorimetry at a heating rate of 15° C./min, and taking themaximum of the melting endotherm as the melting point. However thesepolymers tend to have relatively diffuse melting points, so it ispreferred to measure the “melting point” by the end of melting point.The method is the same, except the end of melting is taken as the end(high temperature end) of the melting endotherm which is taken as thepoint at which the DSC signal returns to the original (extrapolated)baseline. Such polymers have an average degree of polymerization(average number of cyclopentene repeat units per polymer chain) of about10 or more, preferably about 30 or more, and more preferably about 50 ormore.

In these polymers, enchainment of the cyclopentene repeat units isusually as cis-1,3-pentylene units, in contrast to many prior artcyclopentenes which were enchained as 1,2-cyclopentylene units. It ispreferred that about 90 mole percent or more, more preferably about 95mole percent or more of the enchained cyclopentene units be enchained as1,3-cyclopentylene units, which are preferably cis-1,3-cyclopentyleneunits.

The X-ray powder diffraction pattern of the instant poly(cyclopentenes)is also unique. To produce cyclopentene polymer samples of uniformthickness for X-ray measurements, powder samples were compressed intodisks approximately 1 mm thick and 32 mm in diameter. X-ray powderdiffraction patterns of the samples were collected over the range 10-50°2θ. The diffraction data were collected using an automated Philipsθ-θdiffractometer (Philips X'pert System) operating in the symmetricaltransmission mode (Ni-filtered CuKa radiation, equipped with adiffracted beam collimator (Philips Thin Film Collimator system), Xefilled proportional detector, fixed step mode (0.05°/step), 12.5sec./step, 1/40° divergence slit). Reflection positions were identifiedusing the peak finding routine in the APD suite of programs providedwith the X'pert System. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern hadreflections at approximately 17.3°, 19.3°, 24.2°, and 40.7° 2θ, whichcorrespond to d-spacings of approximately 0.512, 0.460, 0.368 and 0.222nm, respectively. These polymers have a monoclinic unit cell of theapproximate dimensions: a=0.561 nm; b=0.607 nm; c=7.37 nm; and g=123.2°.

Copolymers of cyclopentene and various other olefins may also be made.For instance copolymer of ethylene and cyclopentene may also be made. Insuch a copolymer it is preferred that at least 50 mole percent, morepreferably at least about 70 mole percent, of the repeat units arederived from cyclopentene. As also noted above, many of thepolymerization systems described herein produce polyethylenes that haveconsiderable branching in them. Likewise the ethylene units which arecopolymerized with the cyclopentene herein may also be branched, so itis preferred that there be at least 20 branches per 1000 methylenecarbon atoms in such copolymers. In this instance, the “methylene carbonatoms” referred to in the previous sentence do not include methylenegroups in the cyclopentene rings. Rather it includes methylene groupsonly derived from ethylene or other olefin, but not cyclopentene.

Another copolymer that may be prepared is one from cyclopentene and anα-olefin, more preferably a linear α-olefin. It is preferred in suchcopolymers that repeat units derived from cyclopentene are 50 molepercent or more of the repeat units. As mentioned above, α-olefins maybe enchained in a 1,ω fashion, and it is preferred that at least 10 molepercent of the repeat units derived from the α-olefin be enchained insuch a fashion. Ethylene may also be copolymerized with the cyclopenteneand α-olefin.

Poly(cyclopentene) and copolymers of cyclopentene, especially those thatare (semi)crystalline, may be used as molding and extrusion resins. Theymay contain various materials normally found in resins, such as fillers,reinforcing agents, antioxidants, antiozonants, pigments, tougheners,compatibilizers, dyes, flame retardant, and the like. These polymers mayalso be drawn or melt spun into fibers. Suitable tougheners andcompatibilizers include polycyclopentene resin which has been graftedwith maleic anhydride, an grafted EPDM rubber, a grafted EP rubber, afunctionalized styrene/butadiene rubber, or other rubber which has beenmodified to selectively bond to components of the two phases.

In all of the above homo- and copolymers of cyclopentene, whereappropriate, any of the preferred state may be combined any otherpreferred state(s).

The homo- and copolymers of cyclopentene described above may used ormade into certain forms as described below:

1. The cyclopentene polymers described above may be part of a polymerblend. That is they may be mixed in any proportion with one or moreother polymers which may be thermoplastics and/or elastomers. Suitablepolymers for blends are listed below in the listing for blends of otherpolymers described herein. One preferred type of polymer which may beblended is a toughening agent or compatibilizer, which is oftenelastomeric and/or contains functional groups which may helpcompatibilize the mixture, such as epoxy or carboxyl.

2. The polycyclopentenes described herein are useful in a nonwovenfabric comprising fibrillated three-dimensional network fibers preparedby using of a polycyclopentene resin as the principal component. It canbe made by flash-spinning a homogeneous solution containing apolycyclopentene. The resultant nonwoven fabric is excellent in heatresistance, dimensional stability and solvent resistance.

3. A shaped part of any of the cyclopentene containing resins. This partmay be formed by injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming.Exemplary uses include molded part for automotive use, medical treatmentcontainer, microwave-range container, food package container such as hotpacking container, oven container, retort container, etc., andheat-resisting transparent container such as heat-resisting bottle.

4. A sheet or film of any of the cyclopentene containing resins. Thissheet or film may be clear and may be used for optical purposes (i.e.breakage resistant glazing). The sheet or film may be oriented orunoriented. Orientation may be carried out by any of the known methodssuch a uniaxial or biaxial drawing. The sheet or film may be stampableor thermoformable.

5. The polycyclopentene resins are useful in nonwoven fabrics ormicrofibers which are produced by melt-blowing a material containing asa main component a polycyclopentene. A melt-blowing process forproducing a fabric or fiber comprises supplying a polycyclopentene in amolten form from at least one orifice of a nozzle into a gas streamwhich attenuates the molten polymer into microfibers. The nonwovenfabrics are excellent in heat-resistant and chemical resistantcharacteristics, and are suitable for use as medical fabrics, industrialfilters, battery separators and so forth. The microfibers areparticularly useful in the field of high temperature filtration,coalescing and insulation.

6. A laminate in which one or more of the layers comprises acyclopentene resin. The laminate may also contain adhesives, and otherpolymers in some or all of the layers, or other materials such as paper,metal foil, etc. Some or all of the layers, may be oriented in the sameor different directions. The laminate as a whole may also be oriented.Such materials are useful for containers, or other uses where barrierproperties are required.

7. A fiber of a cyclopentene polymer. This fiber may be undrawn or drawnto further orient it. It is useful for apparel and in industrialapplication where heat resistance and/or chemical resistance areimportant.

8. A foam or foamed object of a cyclopentene polymer. The foam may beformed in any conventional manner such as by using blowing agents.

9. The cyclopentene resins may be microporous membranes. They may beused in process wherein semi-permeable membranes are normally used.

In addition, the cyclopentene resins may be treated or mixed with othermaterials to improve certain properties, as follows:

1. They may further be irradiated with electron rays. This oftenimproves heat resistance and/or chemical resistance, and is relativelyinexpensive. Thus the molding is useful as a material required to havehigh heat resistance, such as a structural material, a food containermaterial, a food wrapping material or an electric or electronic partmaterial, particularly as an electric or electronic part material,because it is excellent in soldering resistance.

2. Parts with a crystallinity of at least 20% may be obtained bysubjecting cyclopentene polymers having an end of melting point between240 and 300° C. to heat treatment (annealing) at a temperature of 120°C. to just below the melting point of the polymer. Preferred conditionsare a temperature of 150 to 280° C. for a period of time of 20 secondsto 90 minutes, preferably to give a cyclopentene polymer which has aheat deformation temperature of from 200 to 260° C. These parts havegood physical properties such as heat resistance and chemicalresistance, and thus are useful for, for example, general constructionmaterials, electric or electronic devices, and car parts.

3. Cyclopentene resins may be nucleated to promote crystallizationduring processing. An example would be a polycyclopentene resincomposition containing as main components (A) 100 parts by weight of apolycyclopentene and (B) 0.01 to 25 parts by weight of one or morenucleating agents selected from the group consisting of (1) metal saltsof organic acids, (2) inorganic compounds, (3) organophosphoruscompounds, and/or (4) metal salts of ionic hydrocarbon copolymer.Suitable nucleating agents may be sodiummethylenebis(2,4-di-tertbutylphenyl) acid phosphate, sodiumbis(4-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, aluminum p-(tert-butyl) benzoate,talc, mica, or related species. These could be used in a process forproducing polycyclopentene resin moldings by molding the abovepolycyclopentene resin composition at a temperature above their meltingpoint.

4. Flame retardants and flame retardant combinations may be added to acyclopentene polymer. Suitable flame retardants include a halogen-basedor phosphorus-based flame retardant, antimony trioxide, antimonypentoxide, sodium antimonate, metallic antimony, antimony trichloride,antimony pentachloride, antimony trisulfide, antimony pentasulfide, zincborate, barium metaborate or zirconium oxide. They may be used inconventional amounts.

5. An oxidants may be used in conventional amounts to improve thestability of the cyclopentene polymers. For instance 0.005 to 30 partsby weight, per 100 parts by weight of the cyclopentene polymer, of anantioxidant selected from the group consisting of a phosphorouscontaining antioxidant, a phenolic antioxidant or a combination thereof.The phosphorous containing antioxidant may be a monophosphite ordiphosphite or mixture thereof and the phenolic antioxidant may be adialkyl phenol, trialkyl phenol, diphenylmonoalkoxylphenol, a tetraalkylphenol, or a mixture thereof. A sulfur-containing antioxidant may alsobe used alone or in combination with other antioxidants.

6. Various fillers or reinforcers, such as particulate or fibrousmaterials, may be added to improve various physical properties.

7. “Special” physical properties can be obtained by the use of specifictypes of materials. Electrically conductive materials such as finemetallic wires or graphite may be used to render the polymerelectrically conductive. The temperature coefficient of expansion may beregulated by the use of appropriate fillers, and it may be possible toeven obtain materials with positive coefficients of expansion. Suchmaterials are particularly useful in electrical and electronic parts.

8. The polymer may be crosslinked by irradiation or chemically as byusing peroxides, optionally in the presence of suitable coagents.Suitable peroxides include benzoyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, dicumylperoxide, tert-butyl peroxide, tert-butylperoxybenzoate, tert-butylcumylperoxide, tert-butylhydroperoxide,2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hexane,2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hexyne-3,1,1-bis(tert-butylperoxyisopropyl)benzene,1,1-bis(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane,n-butyl-4,4-bis(tert-butylperoxy)valerate,2,2-bis(tert-butylperoxy)butane and tert-butylperoxybenzene.

When polymerizing cyclopentene, it has been found that some of theimpurities that may be found in cyclopentene poison or otherwiseinterfere with the polymerizations described herein. Compounds such as1,3-pentadiene (which can be removed by passage through 5A molecularsieves), cyclopentadiene (which can be removed by distillation from Na),and methylenecyclobutane (which can be removed by distillation frompolyphosphoric acid), may interfere with the polymerization, and theirlevel should be kept as low as practically possible.

The above polymers (in general) are useful in many applications.Crystalline high molecular weight polymers are useful as molding resins,and for films for use in packaging. Amorphous resins are useful aselastomers, and may be crosslinked by known methods, such as by usingfree radicals. When such amorphous resins contain repeat units derivedfrom polar monomers they are oil resistant. Lower molecular weightpolymers are useful as oils, such as in polymer processing aids. Whenthey contain polar groups, particularly carboxyl groups, they are usefulin adhesives.

In many of the above polymerizations, the transition metal compoundsemployed as (part of the) catalysts contain(s) (a) metal atom(s) in apositive oxidation state. In addition, these complexes may have a squareplanar configuration about the metal, and the metal, particularly nickelor palladium, may have a d⁸ electronic configuration. Thus some of thesecatalysts may be said to have a metal atom which is cationic and has ad⁸-square planar configuration.

In addition these catalysts may have a bidentate ligand whereincoordination to the transition metal is through two different nitrogenatoms or through a nitrogen atom and a phosphorus atom, these nitrogenand phosphorus atoms being part of the bidentate ligand. It is believedthat some of these compounds herein are effective polymerizationcatalysts at least partly because the bidentate ligands have sufficientsteric bulk on both sides of the coordination plane (of the squareplanar complex). Some of the Examples herein with the various catalystsof this type illustrate the degree of steric bulk which may be neededfor such catalysts. If such a complex contains a bidentate ligand whichhas the appropriate steric bulk, it is believed that it producespolyethylene with a degree of polymerization of at least about 10 ormore.

It is also believed that the polymerization catalysts herein areeffective because unpolymerized olefinic monomer can only slowlydisplace from the complex a coordinated olefin which may be formed byβ-hydride elimination from the growing polymer chain which is attachedto the transition metal. The displacement can occur by associativeexchange. Increasing the steric bulk of the ligand slows the rate ofassociative exchange and allows polymer chain growth. A quantitativemeasure of the steric bulk of the bidentate ligand can be obtained bymeasuring at −85° C. the rate of exchange of free ethylene withcomplexed ethylene in a complex of formula (XI) as shown in equation 1using standard ¹H NMR techniques, which is called herein the EthyleneExchange Rate (EER). The neutral bidentate ligand is represented by YNwhere Y is either N or P. The EER is measured in this system. In thismeasurement system the metal is always Pd, the results being applicableto other metals as noted below. Herein it is preferred for catalysts tocontain bidentate ligands for which the second order rate constant forEthylene Exchange Rate is about 20,000 L-mol⁻¹s⁻¹ or less when the metalused in the polymerization catalyst is palladium, more preferably about10,000 L-mol⁻¹s⁻¹ or less, and more preferably about 5,000 L-mol⁻¹s⁻¹ orless. When the metal in the polymerization catalyst is nickel, thesecond order rate constant (for the ligand in EER measurement) is about50,000 L-mol⁻¹s⁻¹, more preferably about 25,000 L-mol⁻¹s⁻¹ or less, andespecially preferably about 10,000 L-mol⁻¹s⁻¹ or less. Herein the EER ismeasured using the compound (XI) in a procedure (including temperature)described in Examples 21-23.

In these polymerizations it is preferred if the bidentate ligand is anα-diimine. It is also preferred if the olefin has the formula R¹⁷CH═CH₂,wherein R¹⁷ is hydrogen or n-alkyl.

In general for the polymers described herein, blends may be preparedwith other polymers, and such other polymers may be elastomers,thermoplastics or thermosets. By elastomers are generally meant polymerswhose Tg (glass transition temperature) and Tm (melting point), ifpresent, are below ambient temperature, usually considered to be about20° C. Thermoplastics are those polymers whose Tg and/or Tm are at orabove ambient temperature. Blends can be made by any of the commontechniques known to the artisan, such as solution blending, or meltblending in a suitable apparatus such as a single or twin-screwextruder. Specific uses for the polymers of this application in theblends or as blends are listed below.

Blends may be made with almost any kind of elastomer, such as EP, EPDM,SBR, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, neoprene, butylrubber, styrene-butadiene block copolymers, segmentedpolyester-polyether copolymers, elastomeric polyurethanes, chlorinatedor chlorosulfonated polyethylene, (per)fluorinated elastomers such ascopolymers of vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene and optionallytetrafluoroethylene, copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene andperfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), and copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene andpropylene.

Suitable thermoplastics which are useful for blending with the polymersdescribed herein include: polyesters such as poly(ethyleneterephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate), and poly(ethyleneadipate); polyamides such as nylon-6, nylon-6,6, nylon-12, nylon-12,12,nylon-11, and a copolymer of hexamethylene diamine, adipic acid andterephthalic acid; fluorinated polymers such as copolymers of ethyleneand vinylidene fluoride, copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene andhexafluoropropylene, copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and aperfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) such as perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether), andpoly(vinyl fluoride); other halogenated polymers such a poly(vinylchloride) and poly(vinylidene chloride) and its copolymers; polyolefinssuch as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene, and copolymersthereof; (meth)acrylic polymers such a poly(methyl methacrylate) andcopolymers thereof; copolymers of olefins such as ethylene with various(meth)acrylic monomers such as alkyl acrylates, (meth)acrylic acid andionomers thereof, and glycidyl (meth)acrylate); aromatic polyesters suchas the copolymer of Bisphenol A and terephthalic and/or isophthalicacid; and liquid crystalline polymers such as aromatic polyesters oraromatic poly(ester-amides).

Suitable thermosets for blending with the polymers described hereininclude epoxy resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins, melamine resins, andunsaturated polyester resins (sometimes called thermoset polyesters).Blending with thermoset polymers will often be done before the thermosetis crosslinked, using standard techniques.

The polymers described herein may also be blended with uncrosslinkedpolymers which are not usually considered thermoplastics for variousreasons, for instance their viscosity is too high and/or their meltingpoint is so high the polymer decomposes below the melting temperature.Such polymers include poly(tetrafluoroethylene), aramids such aspoly(p-phenylene terephthalate) and poly(m-phenylene isophthalate),liquid crystalline polymer such as poly(benzoxazoles), and non-meltprocessible polyimides which are often aromatic polyimides.

All of the polymers disclosed herein may be mixed with various additivesnormally added to elastomers and thermoplastics [see EPSE (below), vol.14, p. 327-410]. For instance reinforcing, non-reinforcing andconductive fillers, such as carbon black, glass fiber, minerals such asclay, mica and talc, glass spheres, barium sulfate, zinc oxide, carbonfiber, and aramid fiber or fibrids, may be used. Antioxidants,antiozonants, pigments, dyes, delusterants, compounds to promotecrosslinking may be added. Plasticizers such as various hydrocarbon oilsmay also be used.

The following listing is of some uses for polyolefins, which are madefrom linear olefins and do not include polar monomers such as acrylates,which are disclosed herein. In some cases a reference is given whichdiscusses such uses for polymers in general. All of these references arehereby included by reference. For the references, “U” refers to W.Gerhartz, et al., Ed., Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry,5th Ed. VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mBH, Weinheim, for which the volume andpage number are given, “ECT3” refers to the H. F. Mark, et al., Ed.,Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th Ed., John Wiley &Sons, New York, “ECT4” refers to the J. I Kroschwitz, et al., Ed.,Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th Ed., John Wiley &Sons, New York, for which the volume and page number are given, “EPST”refers to H. F. Mark, et al., Ed., Encyclopedia of Polymer Science andTechnology, 1st Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, for which the volumeand page number are given, “EPSE” refers to H. F. Mark, et al., Ed.,Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, 2nd Ed., John Wiley &Sons, New York, for which volume and page numbers are given, and “PM”refers to J. A. Brydson, ed., Plastics Materials, 5 Ed.,Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, UK, 1989, and the page is given. In theseuses, a polyethylene, polypropylene and a copolymer of ethylene andpropylene are preferred.

1. Tackifiers for low strength adhesives (U, vol. A1, p. 235-236) are ause for these polymers. Elastomeric and/or relatively low molecularweight polymers are preferred.

2. An oil additive for smoke suppression in single-stroke gasolineengines is another use. Elastomeric polymers are preferred.

3. The polymers are useful as base resins for hot melt adhesives (U,vol. A1, p. 233-234), pressure sensitive adhesives (U, vol. A1, p.235-236) or solvent applied adhesives. Thermoplastics are preferred forhot melt adhesives. The polymers may also be used in a carpetinstallation adhesive.

4. Lubricating oil additives as Viscosity Index Improvers for multigradeengine oil (ECT3, Vol 14, p. 495-496) are another use. Branched polymersare preferred. Ethylene copolymer with acrylates or other polar monomerswill also function as Viscosity Index Improvers for multigrade engineoil with the additional advantage of providing some dispersancy.5.Polymer for coatings and/or penetrants for the protection of variousporous items such as lumber and masonry, particularly out-of-doors. Thepolymer may be in a suspension or emulsion, or may be dissolved in asolvent.

6. Base polymer for caulking of various kinds is another use. Anelastomer is preferred. Lower molecular weight polymers are often used.

7. The polymers may be grafted with various compounds particularly thosethat result in functional groups such as epoxy, carboxylic anhydride(for instance as with a free radically polymerized reaction with maleicanhydride) or carboxylic acid (EPSE, vol. 12, p. 445). Suchfunctionalized polymers are particularly useful as tougheners forvarious thermoplastics and thermosets when blended. When the polymersare elastomers, the functional groups which are grafted onto them may beused as curesites to crosslink the polymers. Maleic anhydride-graftedrandomly-branched polyolefins are useful as tougheners for a wide rangeof materials (nylon, PPO, PPO/styrene alloys, PET, PBT, POM, etc.); astie layers in multilayer constructs such as packaging barrier films; ashot melt, moisture-curable, and coextrudable adhesives; or as polymericplasticizers. The maleic andhydride-grafted materials may be postreacted with, for example; amines, to form other functional materials.Reaction with aminopropyl trimethoxysilane would allow formoisture-curable materials. Reactions with di- and tri-amines wouldallow for viscosity modifications.

8. The polymers, particularly elastomers, may be used for modifyingasphalt, to improve the physical properties of the asphalt and/or extendthe life of asphalt paving.

9. The polymers may be used as base resins for chlorination orchlorosulfonation for making the corresponding chlorinated orchlorosulfonated elastomers. The unchlorinated polymers need not beelastomers themselves.

10. Wire insulation and jacketing may be made from any of thepolyolefins (see EPSE, vol. 17, p. 828-842). In the case of elastomersit may be preferable to crosslink the polymer after the insulation orjacketing is formed, for example by free radicals.

11. The polymers, particularly the elastomers, may be used as toughenersfor other polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene.

12. The base for synthetic lubricants (motor oils) may be the highlybranched polyolefins described herein (ECT3, vol. 14, p. 496-501).

13. The branched polyolefins herein can be used as drip suppressantswhen added to other polymers.

14. The branched polyolefins herein are especially useful in blown filmapplications because of their particular Theological properties (EPSE,vol. 7, p. 88-106). It is preferred that these polymers have somecrystallinity.

15. The polymer described herein can be used to blend with wax forcandles, where they would provide smoke suppression and/or drip control.

16. The polymers, especially the branched polymers, are useful as baseresins for carpet backing, especially for automobile carpeting.

17. The polymers, especially those which are relatively flexible, areuseful as capliner resins for carbonated and noncarbonated beverages.

18. The polymers, especially those having a relatively low meltingpoint, are useful as thermal transfer imaging resins (for instance forimaging tee-shirts or signs).

19. The polymers may be used for extrusion or coextrusion coatings ontoplastics, metals, textiles or paper webs.

20. The polymers may be used as a laminating adhesive for glass.

21. The polymers are useful as for blown or cast films or as sheet (seeEPSE, vol. 7 p. 88-106; ECT4, vol. 11, p. 843-856; PM, p. 252 and p.432ff). The films may be single layer or multilayer, the multilayerfilms may include other polymers, adhesives, etc. For packaging thefilms may be stretch-wrap, shrink-wrap or cling wrap. The films areuseful form many applications such as packaging foods, geomembranes andpond liners. It is preferred that these polymers have somecrystallinity.

22. The polymers may be used to form flexible or rigid foamed objects,such as cores for various sports items such as surf boards and linersfor protective headgear. Structural foams may also be made. It ispreferred that the polymers have some crystallinity. The polymer of thefoams may be crosslinked.

23. In powdered form the polymers may be used to coat objects by usingplasma, flame spray or fluidized bed techniques.

24. Extruded films may be formed from these polymers, and these filmsmay be treated, for example drawn. Such extruded films are useful forpackaging of various sorts.

25. The polymers, especially those that are elastomeric, may be used invarious types of hoses, such as automotive heater hose.

26. The polymers, especially those that are branched, are useful as pourpoint depressants for fuels and oils.

27. These polymers may be flash spun to nonwoven fabrics, particularlyif they are crystalline (see EPSE vol. 10, p. 202-253). They may also beused to form spunbonded polyolefins (EPSE, vol. 6, p. 756-760). Thesefabrics are suitable as house wrap and geotextiles.

28. The highly branched, low viscosity polyolefins would be good as baseresins for master-batching of pigments, fillers, flame-retardants, andrelated additives for polyolefins.

29. The polymers may be grafted with a compound containing ethylenicunsaturation and a functional group such as a carboxyl group or aderivative of a carboxyl group, such as ester, carboxylic anhydride ofcarboxylate salt. A minimum grafting level of about 0.01 weight percentof grafting agent based on the weight of the grafted polymer ispreferred. The grafted polymers are useful as compatibilizers and/ortougheners. Suitable grafting agents include maleic, acrylic,methacrylic, itaconic, crotonic, alpha-methyl crotonic and cinnamicacids, anhydrides, esters and their metal salts and fumaric acid andtheir esters, anhydrides (when appropriate) and metal salts.

Copolymers of linear olefins with 4-vinylcyclohexene and other dienesmay generally be used for all of the applications for which the linearolefins polymers(listed above) may be used. In addition they may besulfur cured, so they generally can be used for any use for which EPDMpolymers are used, assuming the olefin/4-vinylcyclohexene polymer iselastomeric.

Also described herein are novel copolymers of linear olefins withvarious polar monomers such as acrylic acid and acrylic esters. Uses forthese polymers are given below. Abbreviations for references describingthese uses in general with polymers are the same as listed above forpolymers made from linear olefins.

1. Tackifiers for low strength adhesives (U, vol. A1, p. 235-236) are ause for these polymers. Elastomeric and/or relatively low molecularweight polymers are preferred.

2. The polymers are useful as base resins for hot melt adhesives (U,vol. A1, p. 233-234), pressure sensitive adhesives (U, vol. A1, p.235-236) or solvent applied adhesives. Thermoplastics are preferred forhot melt adhesives. The polymers may also be used in a carpetinstallation adhesive.

3. Base polymer for caulking of various kinds is another use. Anelastomer is preferred. Lower molecular weight polymers are often used.

4. The polymers, particularly elastomers, may be used for modifyingasphalt, to improve the physical properties of the asphalt and/or extendthe life of asphalt paving, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,598.

5. Wire insulation and jacketing may be made from any of the polymers(see EPSE, vol. 17, p. 828-842). In the case of elastomers it may bepreferable to crosslink the polymer after the insulation or jacketing isformed, for example by free radicals.

6. The polymers, especially the branched polymers, are useful as baseresins for carpet backing, especially for automobile carpeting.

7. The polymers may be used for extrusion or coextrusion coatings ontoplastics, metals, textiles or paper webs.

8. The polymers may be used as a laminating adhesive for glass.

9. The polymers are useful as for blown or cast films or as sheet (seeEPSE, vol. 7 p. 88-106; ECT4, vol. 11, p. 843-856; PM, p. 252 and p.432ff). The films may be single layer or multilayer, the multilayerfilms may include other polymers, adhesives, etc. For packaging thefilms may be stretch-wrap, shrink-wrap or cling wrap. The films areuseful form many applications such as packaging foods, geomembranes andpond liners. It is preferred that these polymers have somecrystallinity.

10. The polymers may be used to form flexible or rigid foamed objects,such as cores for various sports items such as surf boards and linersfor protective headgear. Structural foams may also be made. It ispreferred that the polymers have some crystallinity. The polymer of thefoams may be crosslinked.

11. In powdered form the polymers may be used to coat objects by usingplasma, flame spray or fluidized bed techniques.

12. Extruded films may be formed from these polymers, and these filmsmay be treated, for example drawn. Such extruded films are useful forpackaging of various sorts.

13. The polymers, especially those that are elastomeric, may be used invarious types of hoses, such as automotive heater hose.

14. The polymers may be used as reactive diluents in automotivefinishes, and for this purpose it is preferred that they have arelatively low molecular weight and/or have some crystallinity.

15. The polymers can be converted to ionomers, which when the possesscrystallinity can be used as molding resins. Exemplary uses for theseionomeric molding resins are golf ball covers, perfume caps, sportinggoods, film packaging applications, as tougheners in other polymers, andusually extruded) detonator cords.

16. The functional groups on the polymers can be used to initiate thepolymerization of other types of monomers or to copolymerize with othertypes of monomers. If the polymers are elastomeric, they can act astoughening agents.

17. The polymers can act as compatibilizing agents between various otherpolymers.

18. The polymers can act as tougheners for various other polymers, suchas thermoplastics and thermosets, particularly if the olefin/polarmonomer polymers are elastomeric.

19. The polymers may act as internal plasticizers for other polymers inblends. A polymer which may be plasticized is poly(vinyl chloride).

20. The polymers can serve as adhesives between other polymers.

21. With the appropriate functional groups, the polymers may serve ascuring agents for other polymers with complimentary functional groups(i.e., the functional groups of the two polymers react with each other).

22. The polymers, especially those that are branched, are useful as pourpoint depressants for fuels and oils.

23. Lubricating oil additives as Viscosity Index Improvers formultigrade engine oil (ECT3, Vol 14, p. 495-496) are another use.Branched polymers are preferred. Ethylene copolymer with acrylates orother polar monomers will also function as Viscosity Index Improvers formultigrade engine oil with the additional advantage of providing somedispersancy.

24. The polymers may be used for roofing membranes.

25. The polymers may be used as additives to various molding resins suchas the so-called thermoplastic olefins to improve paint adhesion, as inautomotive uses.

Polymers with or without polar monomers present are useful in thefollowing uses. Preferred polymers with or without polar monomers arethose listed above in the uses for each “type”.

1. A flexible pouch made from a single layer or multilayer film (asdescribed above) which may be used for packaging various liquid productssuch as milk, or powder such as hot chocolate mix. The pouch may be heatsealed. It may also have a barrier layer, such as a metal foil layer.

2. A wrap packaging film having differential cling is provided by a filmlaminate, comprising at least two layers; an outer reverse which is apolymer (or a blend thereof) described herein, which contains atackifier in sufficent amount to impart cling properties; and an outerobverse which has a density of at least about 0.916 g/mL which haslittle or no cling, provided that a density of the outer reverse layeris at least 0.008 g/mL less than that of the density of the outerobverse layer. It is preferred that the outer obverse layer is linearlow density polyethylene, and the polymer of the outer obverse layerhave a density of less than 0.90 g/mL. All densities are measured at 25°C.

3. Fine denier fibers and/or multifilaments. These may be melt spun.They may be in the form of a filament bundle, a non-woven web, a wovenfabric, a knitted fabric or staple fiber.

4. A composition comprising a mixture of the polymers herein and anantifogging agent. This composition is especially useful in film orsheet form because of its antifogging properties.

5. Elastic, randomly-branched olefin polymers are disclosed which havevery good processability, including processing indices (PI's) less thanor equal to 70 percent of those of a comparative linear olefin polymerand a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surfacemelt fracture of a traditional linear olefin polymer at about the sameI2 Mw/Mn. The novel polymers may have higher low/zero shear viscosityand lower high shear viscosity than comparative linear olefin polymersmade by other means. These polymers may be characterized as having: a) amelt flow ratio, I10/I2,≧5.63, b) a molecular weight distribution,Mw/Mn, defined by the equation: Mw/Mn≧ (I10/I2)−4.63, and c) a criticalshear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percentgreater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface meltfracture of a linear olefin polymer having about the same I2 and Mw/Mn.Some blends of these polymer are characterized as having: a) a melt flowratio, I10/I2,≧5.63, b) a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, definedby the equation: Mw/Mn≧ (I10/I2)−4.63, and c) a critical shear rate atonset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than thecritical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linearolefin polymer having about the same I2 and Mw/Mn and (b) at least oneother natural or synthetic polymer chosen from:

(a) a polyolefin, which contains about 80 to about 150 branches per 1000methylene groups, and which contains for every 100 branches that aremethyl, about 30 to about 90 ethyl branches, about 4 to about 20 propylbranches, about 15 to about 50 butyl branches, about 3 to about 15 amylbranches, and about 30 to about 140 hexyl or longer branches.

(b) the polyolefin as recited in (a), which is an ethylene homopolymer;

(c) a polyolefin which contains about 20 to about 150 branches per 1000methylene groups, and which contains for every 100 branches that aremethyl, about 4 to about 20 ethyl branches, about 1 to about 12 propylbranches, about 1 to about 12 butyl branches, about 1 to about 10 amylbranches, and 0 to about 20 hexyl or longer branches.

(d) the polyolefin as recited in (c), which is an ethylene homopolymer;

(e) an ethylene homopolymer with a density of 0.86 g/ml or less;

(f) a homopolypropylene with a glass transition temperature of −30°C. orless, provided that said homopolypropylene has at least 50 branches per1000 methylene groups;

(g) a conventional high density polyethylene;

(h) low density polyethylene; or

(i) linear low density polyethylene polymer.

The polymers may be further characterized as having a melt flow ratio,I10/I2,≧5.63, a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by theequation; Mw/Mn≧ (I10/I2)−4.63, and a critical shear stress at onset ofgross melt fracture of greater than about 400 kPa (4×10⁶ dyne/cm²) andtheir method of manufacture are disclosed. The randomly-branched olefinpolymers preferably have a molecular weight distribution from about 1.5to about 2.5. The polymers described herein often have improvedprocessability over conventional olefin polymers and are useful inproducing fabricated articles such as fibers, films, and molded parts.For this paragraph, the value is I2 is measured in accordance with ASTMD-1238-190/2. 16 and I10 is measured in accordance with ASTMD-1238-190/10; critical shear rate at least onset of surface which ishereby included by reference.

In another process described herein, the product of the processdescribed herein is a α-olefin. It is preferred that in the process alinear α-olefin is produced. It is also preferred that the α-olefincontain 4 to 32, preferably 8 to 20, carbon atoms.

When (XXXI) is used as a catalyst, a neutral Lewis acid or a cationicLewis or Bronsted acid whose counterion is a weakly coordinating anionis also present as part of the catalyst system (sometimes called a“first compound” in the claims). By a “neutral Lewis acid” is meant acompound which is a Lewis acid capable for abstracting X⁻ from (I) toform a weakly coordinating anion. The neutral Lewis acid is originallyuncharged (i.e., not ionic). suitable neutral Lewis acids include SbF₅,Ar₃B (wherein Ar is aryl), and BF₃. By a cationic Lewis acid is meant acation with a positive charge such as Ag⁺, H⁺, and Na⁺.

A preferred neutral Lewis acid is an alkyl aluminum compound, such as R⁹₃Al, R⁹ ₂AlCl, R⁹AlCl₂, and “R⁹AlO” (alkylaluminoxane), wherein R⁹ isalkyl containing 1 to 25 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms.Suitable alkyl aluminum compounds include methylaluminoxane,(C₂H₅)₂AlCl, C₂H₅AlCl₂, and [(CH₃)₂CHCH₂]₃Al.

Relatively noncoordinating anions are known in the art, and thecoordinating ability of such anions is known and has been discussed inthe literature, see for instance W. Beck., et al., Chem. Rev., vol. 88p. 1405-1421 (1988), and S. H. Strauss, Chem. Rev., vol. 93, p. 927-942(1993), both of which are hereby included by reference. Among suchanions are those formed from the aluminum compounds in the immediatelypreceding paragraph and X⁻, including R⁹ ₃AlX⁻, R⁹ ₂AlClX⁻, R⁹AlCl₂X⁻,and “R⁹AlOX⁻”. Other useful noncoordinating anions includeBAF⁻{BAF=tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate}, SbF₆ ⁻, PF₆ ⁻,and BF₄ ⁻, trifluoromethanesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, (R_(f)SO₂)₂N⁻,and (C₆F₅)₄B⁻.

The temperature at which the process is carried out is about −100° C. toabout +200° C., preferably about 0° C. to about 150° C., more preferablyabout 25° C. to about 100° C. It is believed that at highertemperatures, lower molecular weight α-olefins are produced, all otherfactors being equal. The pressure at which the polymerization is carriedout is not critical, atmospheric pressure to about 275 MPa being asuitable range. It is also believed that increasing the pressureincreases the relative amount of α-olefin (as opposed to internalolefin) produced.

The process to make α-olefins may be run in a solvent (liquid), and thatis preferred. The solvent may in fact be the α-olefin produced. Such aprocess may be started by using a deliberately added solvent which isgradually displaced as the reaction proceeds. By solvent it is notnecessarily meant that any or all of the starting materials and/orproducts are soluble in the (liquid) solvent.

In (I) it is preferred that R³ and R⁴ are both hydrogen or methyl or R³and R⁴ taken together are

It is also preferred that each of Q and S is independently chlorine orbromine, and it is more preferred that both of Q and S in (XXXI) arechlorine or bromine.

In (XXXI) R² and R⁵ are hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl. Whatthese groups are greatly determines whether the α-olefins of thisprocess are made, or whether higher polymeric materials, i.e., materialscontaining over 25 ethylene units, are coproduced or produced almostexclusively. If R² and R⁵ are highly sterically hindered about thenickel atom, the tendency is to produce higher polymeric material. Forinstance, when R² and R⁵ are both 2,6-diisopropylphenyl mostly higherpolymeric material is produced. However, when R² and R⁵ are both phenyl,mostly the α-olefins of this process are produced. of course this willalso be influenced by other reaction conditions such as temperature andpressure, as noted above. Useful groups for R² and R⁵ are phenyl, andp-methylphenyl.

As is understood by the artisan, in oligomerization reactions ofethylene to produce α-olefins, usually a mixture of such α-olefins isobtained containing a series of such α-olefins differing from oneanother by two carbon atoms (an ethylene unit. The process for preparingα-olefins described herein produces products with a high percentage ofterminal olefinic groups (as opposed to internal olefinic groups). Theproduct mixture also contains a relatively high percentage of moleculeswhich are linear. Finally relatively high catalyst efficiencies can beobtained.

The α-olefins described as being made herein may also be made bycontacting ethylene with one of the compounds

wherein R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are as defined (and preferred) as describedabove (for the preparation of α-olefins), and T¹ is hydrogen or n-alkylcontaining up to 38 carbon atoms, Z is a neutral Lewis base wherein thedonating atom is nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen, provided that if thedonating atom is nitrogen then the pKa of the conjugate acid of thatcompound (measured in water) is less than about 6, U is n-alkylcontaining up to 38 carbon atoms, and X is a noncoordinating anion (seeabove). The process conditions for making α-olefins using (III) or(XXXIV) are the same as for using (XXXI) to make these compounds excepta Lewis or Bronsted acid need not be present. Note that the double linein (XXXIV) represents a coordinated ethylene molecule. (XXXIV) may bemade from (II) by reaction of (III) with ethylene. In other words,(XXXIV) may be considered an active intermediate in the formation ofα-olefin from (III). Suitable groups for Z include dialkyl ethers suchas diethyl ether, and alkyl nitrites such as acetonitrile.

In general, α-olefins can be made by this process using as a catalyst aNi[II] complex of an α-diimine of formula (VIII), wherein the NI[II]complex is made by any of the methods which are described above, usingNi[0], Ni[I] or Ni[II] precursors. All of the process conditions, andpreferred groups on (VIII), are the same as described above in theprocess for making α-olefins.

EXAMPLES

In the Examples, the following convention is used for naming α-diiminecomplexes of metals, and the α-diimine itself. The α-diimine isindicated by the letters “DAB”. To the left of the “DAB” are the twogroups attached to the nitrogen atoms, herein usually called R² and R⁵.To the right of the “DAB” are the groups on the two carbon atoms of theα-diimine group, herein usually termed R³ and R⁴. To the right of allthis appears the metal, ligands attached to the metal (such as Q, S andT), and finally any anions (X), which when “free” anions are designatedby a superscript minus sign (i.e., X⁻). Of course if there is a “free”anion present, the metal containing moiety is cationic. Abbreviationsfor these groups are as described in the Specification in the Note afterTable 1. Analogous abbreviations are used for α-diimines, etc.

In the Examples, the following abbreviations are used:

ΔH_(f)—heat of fusion

acac—acetylacetonate

Bu—butyl

t-BuA—t-butyl acrylate

DMA—Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

DME—1,2-dimethoxyethane

DSC—Differential Scanning Calorimetry

E—ethylene

EOC—end of chain

Et—ethyl

FC-75—perfluoro(n-butyltetrahydrofuran)

FOA—fluorinated octyl acrylate

GPC—gel permeation chromatography

MA—methyl acrylate

MAO—methylaluminoxane

Me—methyl

MeOH—methanol

MMAO—a modified methylaluminoxane in which about 25 mole percent of themethyl groups have been replaced by isobutyl groups

M-MAO—see MMAO

MMAO-3A—see MMAO

Mn—number average molecular weight

MVK—methyl vinyl ketone

Mw—weight average molecular weight

Mz—viscosity average molecular weight

PD or P/D—polydispersity, Mw/Mn

Ph—phenyl

PMAO—see MAO

PMMA—poly(methyl methacrylate)

Pr—propyl

PTFE—polytetrafluoroethylene

RI—refractive index

RT (or rt)—room temperature

TCE—1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane

Tc—temperature of crystallization

Td—temperature of decomposition

Tg—glass transition temperature

TGA—Thermogravimetric Analysis

THF—tetrahydrofuran

Tm—melting temperature

TO—turnovers, the number of moles of monomer polymerized per g-atom ofmetal in the catalyst used

UV—ultraviolet

Unless otherwise noted, all pressures are gauge pressures.

In the Examples, the following procedure was used to quantitativelydetermine branching, and the distribution of branch sizes in thepolymers (but not necessarily the simple number of branches as measuredby total number of methyl groups per 1000 methylene groups). 100 MHz ¹³CNMR spectra were obtained on a Varian Unity 400 MHz spectrometer using a10 mm probe on typically 15-20 wt % solutions of the polymers and 0.05 Mcr(acetylacetonate)₃ in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) unlocked at120-140° C. using a 90 degree pulse of 12.5 to 18.5 μsec, a spectralwidth of 26 to 35 kHz, a relaxation delay of 5-9 s, an acquisition timeof 0.64 sec and gated decoupling. Samples were preheated for at least 15min before acquiring data. Data acquisition time was typically 12 hr.per sample. The T¹ values of the carbons were measured under theseconditions to be all less than 0.9 s. The longest T¹ measured was forthe Bu⁺, end of chain resonance at 14 ppm, which was 0.84 s.Occasionally about 16 vol. % benzene-d₆ was added to the TCB and thesample was run locked. Some samples were run in chloroform-d1, CDCl₃-d1,(locked) at 30° C. under similar acquisition parameters. T¹'s were alsomeasured in CDCl₃ at ambient temperature on a typical sample with 0.05 MCr(acetylacetonate)₃ to be all less than 0.68 s. In rare cases whenCr(acetylacetonate)₃ was not used, a 30-40 s recycle delay was used toinsure quantitation. The glycidyl acrylate copolymer was run at 100° C.with Cr(acetylacetonate)₃. Spectra are referenced to the solvent—eitherthe TCB highfield resonance at 127.8 ppm or the chloroform-d1 triplet at77 ppm. A DEPT 135 spectrum was done on most samples to distinguishmethyls and methines from methylenes. Methyls were distinguished frommethines by chemical shift. EOC is end-of-chain. Assignments referenceto following naming scheme:

1. xBy: By is a branch of length y carbons; x is the carbon beingdiscussed, the methyl at the end of the branch is numbered 1. Thus thesecond carbon from the end of a butyl branch is 2B4. Branches of lengthy or greater are designated as y⁺.

2. xEBy: EB is an ester ended branch containing y methylenes. x is thecarbon being discussed, the first methylene adjacent to the estercarbonyl is labeled 1. Thus the second methylene from the end of a 5methylene ester terminated branch would be 2EB5. ¹³C NMR of modelcompounds for EBy type branches for y=0 and y=5⁺ confirm the peakpositions and assignments of these branches. In addition, a modelcompound for an EB1 branch is consistent with 2 dimensional NMR datausing the well know 2D NMR techniques of hsqc, hmbc, and hsqc-tocsy; the2D data confirms the presence of the EB5⁺, EB0, EB1 and otherintermediate length EB branches

3. The methylenes in the backbone are denoted with Greek letters whichdetermine how far from a branch point methine each methylene is. Thus ββ(beta beta) B denotes the central methylene in the followingPCHRCH₂CH₂CH₂CHRP. Methylenes that are three or more carbons from abranch point are designated as y⁺ (gamma⁺).

4. When x in xBy or xEBy is replaced by a M, the methine carbon of thatbranch is denoted.

Integrals of unique carbons in each branch were measured and werereported as number of branches per 1000 methylenes (including methylenesin the backbone and branches). These integrals are accurate to +/−5%relative for abundant branches and +/−10 or 20% relative for branchespresent at less than 10 per 1000 methylenes.

Such types of analyses are generally known, see for instance “AQuantitative Analysis of Low Density (Branched) Polyethylenes byCarbon-13 Fourier Transform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance at 67.9 MHz”, D.E. Axelson, et al., Macromolecules 12 (1979) pp. 41-52; “Fine BranchingStructure in High-Pressure, Low Density Polyethylenes by 50.10-MHz 13CNMR Analysis”, T. Usami et al., Macromolecules 17 (1984) pp. 1757-1761;and “Quantification of Branching in Polyethylene by 13C NMR UsingParamagnetic Relaxation Agents”, J. V. Prasad, et al., Eur. Polym. J. 27(1991) pp. 251-254 (Note that this latter paper is believed to have somesignificant typographical errors in it).

It is believed that in many of the polymers described herein which haveunusual branching, i.e., they have more or fewer branches than would beexpected for “normal” coordination polymerizations, or the distributionof sizes of the branches is different from that expected, that “brancheson branches” are also present. By this is meant that a branch from themain chain on the polymer may itself contain one or more branches. It isalso noted that the concept of a “main chain” may be a somewhat semanticargument if there are sufficient branches on branches in any particularpolymer.

By a polymer hydrocarbyl branch is meant a methyl group to a methine orquaternary carbon atom or a group of consecutive methylenes terminatedat one end by a methyl group and connected at the other end to a methineor quaternary carbon atom. The length of the branch is defined as thenumber of carbons from and including the methyl group to the nearestmethine or quaternary carbon atom, but not including the methine orquaternary carbon atom. If the number of consecutive methylene groups is“n” then the branch contains (or the branch length is) n+1. Thus thestructure (which represents part of a polymer)—CH₂CH₂CH[CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃]CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂— contains 2 branches, amethyl and an ethyl branch.

For ester ended branches a similar definition is used. An ester branchrefers to a group of consecutive methylene groups terminated at one endby an ester—COOR group, and connected at the other end to a methine orquaternary carbon atom. The length of the branch is defined as thenumber of consecutive methylene groups from the ester group to thenearest methine or quaternary carbon atom, but not including the methineor quaternary carbon atom. If the number of methylene groups is “n”,then the length of the branch is n. Thus—CH₂CH₂CH[CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂COOR]CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂— contains 2 branches,a methyl and an n=1 ester branch.

The ¹³C NMR peaks for copolymers of cyclopentene and ethylene aredescribed based on the labeling scheme and assignments of A. Jerschow etal, Macromolecules 1995, 28, 7095-7099. The triads and pentads aredescribed as 1-cme, 1,3-ccmcc, 1,3-cmc, 2-cme, 2-cmc, 1,3-eme,3-cme, and4,5-cmc, where e=ethylene, c=cyclopentene, and m=meta cyclopentene (i.e.1,3 enchainment). The same labeling is used for cyclopentene/1-pentenecopolymer substituting p=pentene for e. The synthesis of diimines isreported in the literature (Tom Dieck, H.; Svoboda, M.; Grieser, T. Z.Naturforsch 1981, 36b, 823-832. Kliegman, J. M.; Barnes, R. K. J. Org.Chem. 1970, 35, 3140-3143.)

Example 1 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl

Et₂O (75 mL) was added to a Schlenk flask containing CODPdMeCl(COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene) (3.53 g, 13.3 mmol) and a slight excess of(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ (5.43 g, 13.4 mmol, 1.01 equiv). An orangeprecipitate began to form immediately upon mixing. The reaction mixturewas stirred overnight and the Et₂O and free COD were then removed viafiltration. The product was washed with an additional 25 mL of Et₂O andthen dried overnight in vacuo. A pale orange powder (7.18 g, 95.8%) wasisolated: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz) δ 7.4-7.2 (m, 6, H_(aryl)) 3.06(septet, 2, J=6.81, CHMe₂), 3.01 (septet, 2, J=6.89, C′HMe₂), 2.04 and2.03 (N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 1.40 (d, 6, J=6.79, C′HMeMe′), 1.36 (d, 6,J=6.76, CHMeMe′), 1.19 (d, 6, J=6.83, CHMeMe′), 1.18 (d, 6, J=6.87,C′HMeMe′), 0.36 (s, 3, PdMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz) δ 175.0 and170.3 (N═C—C′═N), 142.3 and 142.1 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 138.9 and 138.4(Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 128.0 and 127.1 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 124.3 and 123.5 (Ar,Ar′:C_(m)), 29.3 (CHMe₂), 28.8 (C′HMe₂), 23.9, 23.8, 23.5 and 23.3(CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 21.5 and 20.1 (N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 5.0(J_(CH)=135.0, PdMe).

Example 2 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl

Following the procedure of Example 1, an orange powder was isolated in97.1% yield: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz) δ 8.31 and 8.15 (s, 1 each,N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.3-7.1 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.22 (septet, 2, J=6.80,CHMe₂), 3.21 (septet, 2, J=6.86, C′HMe₂), 1.362, 1.356, 1.183 and 1.178(d, 6 each, J=7.75-6.90; CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 0.67 (s, 3, PdMe); ¹³C NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz) δ 164.5 (J_(CH)=179.0, N═C(H)), 160.6 (J_(CH)=178.0,N═C′(H)), 144.8 and 143.8 (Ar, Ar′: C_(ipso)) 140.0 and 139.2 (Ar,Ar′:C_(o)), 128.6 and 127.7 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 124.0 and 123.4 (Ar,Ar′:C_(m)), 29.1 (CHMe₂), 28.6 (C′HMe₂), 24.7, 24.1, 23.1 and 22.7(CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 3.0 (J_(CH)=134.0, PdMe). Anal. Calcd for(C₂₇H₃₉ClN₂Pd): C, 60.79; H, 7.37; N, 5.25. Found: C, 60.63; H, 7.24; N,5.25.

Example 3 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl

Following the procedure of Example 1, a yellow powder was isolated in90.6% yield: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz) δ 7.3-6.9 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 2.22(s, 6, Ar, Ar′: Me), 2.00 and 1.97 (N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 0.25 (s, 3,PdMe).

Example 4 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl

Following the procedure of Example 1, an orange powder was isolated in99.0% yield: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, 41° C.) δ 8.29 and 8.14(N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.2-7.1 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 2.33 and 2.30 (s, 6 each,Ar, Ar′: Me), 0.61 (s, 3, PdMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, 41° C.) δ165.1 (J_(CH)=179.2, N═C(H)), 161.0 (J_(CH)=177.8 (N═C′(H) ), 147.3 and146.6 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 129.5 and 128.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 128.8 and128.5 (Ar, Ar′:C_(m)), 127.9 and 127.3 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 18.7 and 18.2(Ar, Ar′:Me), 2.07 (J_(CH)=136.4, PdMe).

Example5 [4-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl

Following the procedure of Example 1, a yellow powder was isolated in92.1% yield: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz) δ 7.29 (d, 2, J=8.55, Ar:H_(m))7.26 (d, 2, J=7.83, Ar′:H_(m)), 6.90 (d, 2, J=8.24, Ar′:H_(o)), 6.83 (d,2, J=8.34, Ar:H_(o)), 2.39 (s, 6, Ar, Ar′:Me), 2.15 and 2.05 (s, 3 each,N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 0.44 (s, 3, PdMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz) δ 176.0and 169.9 (N═C—C′═N), 144.9 and 143.7 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)) 137.0 and 136.9(Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 130.0 and 129.3 (Ar, Ar′:C_(m)), 122.0 and 121.5 (Ar,Ar′:C_(o)), 21.2 (N═C(Me)), 20.1 (Ar, Ar′:Me), 19.8 (N═C′(Me)), 2.21(J_(CH)=135.3, PdMe). Anal. Calcd for (C₁₉H₂₃ClN₂Pd): C, 54.17; H, 5.50;N, 6.65. Found: C, 54.41; H, 5.37; N, 6.69.

Example 6 [(4-MePh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl

Following the procedure of Example 1, a burnt orange powder was isolatedin 90.5% yield: Anal. Calcd for (C₁₇H₁₉ClN₂Pd): C, 51.93; H, 4.87; N,7.12. Found: C, 51.36; H, 4.80; N, 6.82.

Example 7 <{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe}₂(μ-Cl)>BAF⁻

Et₂O (25 mL) was added to a mixture of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (0.81g, 1.45 mmol) and 0.5 equiv of NaBAF (0.64 g, 0.73 mmol) at roomtemperature. A golden yellow solution and NaCl precipitate formedimmediately upon mixing. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight andthen filtered. After the Et₂O was removed in vacuo, the product waswashed with 25 mL of hexane. The yellow powder was then dissolved in 25mL of CH₂Cl₂ and the resulting solution was filtered in order to removedtraces of unreacted NaBAF. Removal of CH₂Cl₂ in vacuo yielded a goldenyellow powder (1.25 g, 88.2%): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz) δ 7.73 (s, 8,BAF: H_(o)), 7.57 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.33 (t, 2, J=7.57, Ar:H_(p)), 7.27(d, 4, J=7.69, Ar:H_(o)), 7.18 (t, 2, J=7.64, Ar:H_(p)), 7.10 (d, 4,J=7.44, Ar′:H_(o)), 2.88 (septet, 4, J=6.80, CHMe₂), 2.75 (septet, 4,J=6.82, C′HMe₂), 2.05 and 2.00 (s, 6 each, N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 1.22,1.13, 1.08 and 1.01 (d, 12 each, J=6.61-6.99, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 0.41(s, 6, PdMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz) δ 177.1 and 171.2 (N═C—C′═N),162.2 (q, J_(BC)=49.8, BAF:C_(ipso)) 141.4 and 141.0 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)),138.8 and 138.1 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 135.2 (BAF: C_(p)), 129.3 (q,J_(CF)=31.6, BAF:C_(m)), 128.6 and 127.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 125.0 (q,J_(CF)=272.5, BAF:CF₃), 124.5 and 123.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(m)), 117.9(BAF:C_(p)), 29.3 (CHMe₂), 29.0 (C′HMe₂), 23.8, 23.7, 23.6 and 23.0(CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 21.5 and 20.0 (N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 9.8(J_(CH)=136.0, PdMe). Anal. Calcd for (C₉₀H₉₈BClF₂₄N₄Pd₂): C, 55.41; H,5.06; N, 2.87. Found: C, 55.83; H, 5.09; N, 2.63.

Example 8 <{[(2,6 -i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe}₂(μ-Cl) BAF⁻

The procedure of Example 7 was followed with one exception, the removalof CH₂Cl₂ in vacuo yielded a product that was partially an oil.Dissolving the compound in Et₂O and then removing the Et₂O in vacuoyielded a microcrystalline red solid (85.56): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz) δ8.20 and 8.09 (s, 2 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.73 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.57(s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.37 (t, 2, J=7.73, Ar:H_(p)), 7.28 (d, 4, J=7.44,Ar:H_(m)), 7.24 (t, 2, Ar′:H_(p)), 7.16 (d, 4, J=7.19, Ar′:H_(m)), 3.04(septet, 4, J=6.80, CHMe₂), 2.93 (septet, 4, J=6.80, C′HMe₂), 1.26 (d,12, J=6.79, CHMeMe′), 1.14 (d, 12, J=6.83, CHMeMe′), 1.11 (d, 12,J=6.80, C′HMeMe′), 1.06 (d, 12, J=6.79, C′HMeMe′), 0.74 (s, 6, PdMe);¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz) δ 166.0 (J_(CH)=180.4, N═C(H)), 161.9 (q,J_(BC)=49.6, BAF:C_(ipso)), 160.8 (J_(CH)=179.9, N═C′(H)), 143.5 and143.0 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 139.8 and 138.9 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 135.2(BAF:C_(o)), 129.3 (q, J_(CF)=31.4, BAF:C_(m)), 129.3 and 128.5 (Ar,Ar′:C_(p)), 125.0 (q, J_(CF)=272.4, BAF:CF₃), 124.3 and 123.7 (Ar,Ar′:C_(m)), 117.9 (BAF:C_(p)), 29.2 and 28.9 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 24.5,24.1, 23.0, and 22.5 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 10.3 (PdMe). Anal. Calcd for(C₈₆H₉₀BClF₂₄N₄Pd₂): C, 54.52; H, 4.97; N, 2.96. Found: C, 54.97; H,4.72; N, 2.71.

Example 9

Alternatively, the products of Examples 7 and 8 have been synthesized bystirring a 1:1 mixture of the appropriate PdMeCl compound and NaBAF inEt₂O for ˜1 h. Removal of solvent yields the dimer +0.5 equiv of Na⁺(OEt₂)₂BAF⁻. Washing the product mixture with hexane yields ether-freeNaBAF, which is insoluble in CH₂Cl₂. Addition of CH₂Cl₂ to the productmixture and filtration of the solution yields salt-free dimer: ¹H NMRspectral data are identical with that reported above.

For a synthesis of CODPdMe₂, see: Rudler-Chauvin, M., and Rudler, H. J.Organomet. Chem. 1977, 134, 115-119.

Example 10 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe₂

A Schlenk flask containing a mixture of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl(2.00 g, 3.57 mmol) and 0.5 equiv of Me₂Mg (97.2 mg, 1.79 mmol) wascooled to −78° C., and the reaction mixture was then suspended in 165 mLof Et₂O. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperatureand then stirred for 2 h, and the resulting brown solution was thenfiltered twice. Cooling the solution to −30° C. yielded brown singlecrystals (474.9 mg, 24.6%, 2 crops): ¹H NMR (C₆D₆, 400 MHz) δ 7.2-7.1(m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.17 (septet, 4, J=6.92, CHMe₂), 1.39 (d, 12, J=6.74,CHMeMe′), 1.20 (N═C(Me)—C(Me)═N), 1.03 (d, 12, J=6.89, CHMeMe′), 0.51(s, 6, PdMe); ¹³C NMR (C₆D₆, 100 MHz) δ 168.4 (N═C—C═N), 143.4(Ar:C_(ipso)), 138.0 (Ar:C_(o)), 126.5 (Ar:C_(p)), 123.6 (Ar:C_(m)),28.8 (CHMe₂), 23.6 and 23.5 (CHMeMe′), 19.5 (N═C(Me)—C(Me)═N), −4.9(J_(CH)=127.9, PdMe). Anal. Calcd for (C₃₀H₄₆N₂Pd): C, 66.59; H, 8.57;N, 5.18. Found: C, 66.77; H, 8.62; N, 4.91.

Example 11 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe₂

The synthesis of this compound in a manner analogous to Example 10,using 3.77 mmol of ArN═C(H)—C(H)═NAr and 1.93 mmol of Me₂Mg yielded722.2 mg (37.4%) of a deep brown microcrystalline powder uponrecrystallization of the product from a hexane/toluene solvent mixture.

This compound was also synthesized by the following method: A mixture ofPd(acac)₂ (2.66 g, 8.72 mmol) and corresponding diimine (3.35 g, 8.90mmol) was suspended in 100 mL of Et₂O, stirred for 0.5 h at roomtemperature, and then cooled to −78° C. A solution of Me₂Mg (0.499 g,9.18 mmol) in 50 mL of Et₂O was then added via cannula to the coldreaction mixture. After stirring for 10 min at −78° C., the yellowsuspension was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for anadditional hour. A second equivalent of the diimine was then added tothe reaction mixture and stirring was continued for 4 days. The brownEt₂O solution was then filtered and the solvent was removed in vacuo toyield a yellow-brown foam. The product was then extracted with 75 mL ofhexane, and the resulting solution was filtered twice, concentrated, andcooled to −30° C. overnight to yield 1.43 g (32.0%) of brown powder: ¹HNMR (C₆D₆, 400 MHz) δ 7.40 (s, 2, N═C(H)—C(H)═N), 7.12 (s, 6, H_(aryl)),3.39 (septet, 4, J=6.86, CHMe₂), 1.30 (d, 12, J=6.81, CHMeMe′), 1.07 (d,12, J=6.91, CHMeMe′), 0.77 (s, 6, PdMe); ¹³C NMR (C₆D₆, 100 MHz) δ 159.9(J_(CH)=174.5, N═C(H)—C(H)═N), 145.7, (Ar:C_(ipso)), 138.9 (Ar:C_(o)),127.2 (Ar:C_(p)), 123.4 (Ar:C_(m)), 28.5 (CHMe₂), 24.4 and 22.8(CHMeMe′), −5.1 (J_(CH)=128.3, PdMe). Anal. Calcd for (C₂₈H₄₂N₂Pd): C,65.55, H, 8.25; N, 5.46. Found: C, 65.14; H, 8.12; N, 5.14.

Example 12 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]PdMe₂

This compound was synthesized in a manner similar to the secondprocedure of Example 11 (stirred for 5 h at rt) using 5.13 mmol of thecorresponding diimine and 2.57 mmol of Me₂Mg. After the reaction mixturewas filtered, removal of Et₂O in vacuo yielded 1.29 g (62.2%) of a deepbrown microcrystalline solid: ¹H NMR (C₆D₆, 100 MHz, 12° C.) δ 6.98 (s,2, N═C(H)—C(H) ═N), 6.95 (s, 6, H_(aryl)), 2.13 (s, 12, Ar:Me), 0.77 (s,6, PdMe); ¹³C NMR (C₆D₆, 400 MHz, 12° C.) δ 160.8 (J_(CH)=174.6,N═C(H)—C(H)═N), 147.8 (Ar:C_(ipso)), 128.2 (Ar:C_(m)), 128.15(Ar:C_(o)), 126.3 (Ar:C_(p)), 18.2 (Ar:Me), −5.5 (J_(CH)=127.6, Pd—Me).

Example 13 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiMe₂

The synthesis of this compound has been reported (Svoboda, M.; tomDieck, H. J. Organomet. Chem. 1980, 191, 321-328) and was modified asfollows: A mixture of Ni(acac)₂ (1.89 g, 7.35 mmol) and thecorresponding diimine (2.83 g, 7.51 mmol) was suspended in 75 mL of Et₂Oand the suspension was stirred for 1 h at room temperature. Aftercooling the reaction mixture to −78° C., a solution of Me₂Mg (401 mg,7.37 mmol) in 25 mL of Et₂O was added via cannula. The reaction mixturewas stirred for 1 h at −78° C. and then for 2 h at 0° C. to give ablue-green solution. After the solution was filtered, the Et₂O wasremoved in vacuo to give a blue-green brittle foam. The product was thendissolved in hexane and the resulting solution was filtered twice,concentrated, and then cooled to −30° C. to give 1.23 g (35.9%, onecrop) of small turquoise crystals.

Example 14 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiMe₂

The synthesis of this compound has been reported (Svoboda, M.; tomDieck, H. J. Organomet. Chem. 1980, 191, 321-328) and was synthesizedaccording to the above modified procedure (Example 13) using Ni(acac)₂(3.02 g, 11.75 mmol), the corresponding diimine (4.80 g, 11.85 mmol) andMe₂Mg (640 mg, 11.77 mmol). A turquoise powder was isolated (620 mg,10.7%).

Example 15 {[(2,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe (MeCN)}BAF⁻

To a mixture of [(2,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (109.5 mg, 0.244 mmol) andNaBAF (216.0 mg, 0.244 mmol) were added 20 mL each of Et₂O and CH₂Cl₂and 1 mL of CH₃CN. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 1.5 h andthen the NaCl was removed via filtration. Removal of the solvent invacuo yielded a yellow powder, which was washed with 50 mL of hexane.The product (269.6 mg, 83.8%) was then dried in vacuo: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂,400 MHz) δ 7.73 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.57 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.22-7.16 (m,6, H_(aryl)), 2.23 (s, 6, Ar:Me), 2.17 (s, 6, Ar′:Me), 2.16, 2.14, and1.79 (s, 3 each, N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N, NCMe), 0.38 (s, 3, PdMe); ¹³C NMR(CD₂C₂, 100 MHz) δ 180.1 and 172.2 (N═C—C′═N), 162.1 (q, J_(BC)=49.9,BAF:C_(ipso)), 142.9 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 135.2 (BAF:C_(o)), 129.3(Ar:C_(m)), 129.2 (q, J_(CF)=30.6, BAF:C_(m)), 129.0 (Ar′:C_(m)), 128.4(Ar:C_(p)), 128.2 (Ar:C_(o)), 127.7 (Ar′:C_(p)), 127.4 (Ar′:C_(o)),125.0 (q, J_(CF)=272.4, BAF:CF₃), 121.8 (NCMe), 117.9 (BAF:C_(p)), 20.2and 19.2 (N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 18.0 (Ar:Me),17.9 (Ar′:Me), 5.1 and 2.3(NCMe, PdMe). Anal. Calcd for (C₅₅H₄₂BF₂₄N₃Pd): C, 50.12; H, 3.21; N,3.19. Found: C, 50.13; H, 3.13, N, 2.99.

Example 16 {[(4-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe (MeCN)}BAF⁻

Following the procedure of Example 15, a yellow powder was isolated in85% yield: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz) δ 7.81 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.73 (s,4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.30 (d, 4, J=8.41, Ar, Ar′:H_(m)), 6.89 (d, 2, J=8.26,Ar:H_(o)), 6.77 (d, 2, J=8.19, Ar′:H_(o)), 2.39 (s, 6, Ar, Ar′:Me),2.24, 2.17 and 1.93 (s, 3 each, N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N, NCMe)Pd—Me; ¹³C NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz) δ 180.7 and 171.6 (N═C—C′═N), 162.1 (q, J_(BC)=49.8,BAF:C_(ipso)), 143.4 and 142.9 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 138.6 and 138.5 (Ar,Ar′:C_(p)), 135.2 (BAF:C_(o)), 130.6 and 130.4 (Ar, Ar′:C_(m)), 129.3(q, J_(CF)=31.6, BAF:C_(m)), 125.0 (q, J_(CF)=272.5, BAF:CF₃), 122.1(NCMe), 121.0 and 120.9 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 117.9 (BAF:C_(p)), 21.5 (ArN═C(Me)), 21.1 (Ar, Ar′:Me), 19.7 (ArN═C′(Me)), 6.2 and 3.0 (NCMe, PdMe).Anal. Calcd for (C₅₃H₃₈BF₂₄N₃Pd): C, 49.34; H, 2.97: N, 3.26. Found: C,49.55; H, 2.93; N. 3.10.

Example 17 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe (Et₂O) BAF⁻

A Schlenk flask containing a mixture of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe₂ (501mg, 0.926 mmol) and H⁺(OEt₂)₂BAF⁻ (938 mg, 0.926 mmol) was cooled to−78° C. Following the addition of 50 mL of Et₂O, the solution wasallowed to warm and stirred briefly (˜15 min) at room temperature. Thesolution was then filtered and the solvent was removed in vacuo to givea pale orange powder (1.28 g, 94.5%), which was stored at ˜30° C. underan inert atmosphere: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −60° C.) δ 7.71 (s, 8,BAF:H_(o)), 7.58 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.4-7.0 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.18 (q,4, J=7.10, O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 2.86 (septet, 2, J=6.65, CHMe₂), 2.80 (septet,2, J=6.55, C′HMe₂), 2.18 and 2.15 (N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 1.34, 1.29, 1.14and 1.13 (d, 6 each, J=6.4-6.7, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 1.06 (t, J=6.9,O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 0.33 (s, 3, PdMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, −60° C.) δ179.0 and 172.1 (N═C—C′═N), 161.4 (q, J_(BC)=49.7, BAF:C_(ipso)), 140.21and 140.15 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 137.7 and 137.4 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 134.4(BAF:C_(p)), 128.3 (q, J_(CF)=31.3, BAF:C_(m)), 128.5 and 128.2 (Ar,Ar′:C_(p)), 124.2 (q, J_(CF)=272.4, BAF:CF₃), 117.3 (BAF:C_(p)), 71.5(O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 28.7 (CHMe₂), 28.4 (C′HMe₂), 23.7, 23.6, 23.1 and 22.6(CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 21.5 and 20.7 (N═C(Me) —C′(Me)═N), 14.2(O(CH₂CH₃)₂)₂, 8.6 (PdMe). Anal. Calcd for (C₆₅H₆₅BF₂₄N₂OPd): C, 53.35;H, 4.48; N, 1.91. Found: C, 53.01; H, 4.35; N, 1.68.

Example 18 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]PdMe (Et₂O) BAF⁻

Following the procedure of Example 17, an orange powder was synthesizedin 94.3% yield and stored at −30° C.: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −60° C.)δ 8.23 and 8.20 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.72 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)),7.54 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.40-7.27 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.32 (q, 4, J=6.90,O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 3.04 and 3.01 (septets, 2 each, J=6.9-7.1, CHMe₂ andC′HMe₂), 1.32, 1.318, 1.14 and 1.10 (d, 6 each, J=6.5-6.8, CHMeMe′ andC′HMeMe′), 1.21 (t, 6, J=6.93, O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 0.70 (s, 3, PdMe); ¹³C NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, −60° C.) δ 166.9 (J_(CH)=182.6, N═C(H)), 161.5(J_(BC)=49.7, BAF:C_(ipso)) 161.3 (J_(CH)=181.6, N═C′(H)), 143.0 and141.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 138.7 and 137.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 134.4(BAF:C_(o)), 129.1 and 128.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 128.3 (J_(CF)=31.3,BAF:C_(m)), 124.0 and 123.9 (Ar, Ar′:C_(m)), 117.3 (BAF:C_(p)), 72.0(O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 28.5 and 28.4 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 25.2, 24.1, 21.9 and 21.7(CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 15.2 (O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 11.4 (J_(CH)=137.8, PdMe). Anal.Calcd for (C₆₃H₆₁BF₂₄N₂OPd): C, 52.72; H, 4.28; N, 1.95. Found: C,52.72; H, 4.26; N, 1.86.

Example 19 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]NiMe (Et₂O) BAF⁻

Following the procedure of Example 17, a magenta powder was isolated andstored at −30° C.: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −60° C.; A H₂O adduct andfree Et₂O were observed.) δ 7.73 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.55 (s, 4,BAF:H_(p)), 7.4-7.2 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.42 (s, 2, OH₂), 3.22 (q, 4,O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 3.14 and 3.11 (septets, 2 each, J=7.1, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 1.95and 1.78 (s, 3 each, N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 1.42, 1.39, 1.18 and 1.11 (d, 6each, J=6.6-6.9, CHMeMe′ and C′HMeMe′), 0.93 (t, J=7.5, O(CH₂CH₃)₂),−0.26 (s ,3, NiMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂ 100 MHz, −58° C.) δ 175.2 and 170.7(N═C—C′═N), 161.6 (q, J_(BC)=49.7, BAF:C_(ipso)) 141.2 (Ar:C_(ipso)),139.16 and 138.68 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 136.8 (Ar′:C_(ipso)), 134.5(BAF:C_(o)), 129.1 and 128.4 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 128.5 (q, J_(CF)32.4BAF:C_(m)), 125.0 and 124.2 (Ar, Ar′:C_(m)), 124.3 (q, J_(CF)=272.5,BAF:CF₃), 117.4 (BAF:C_(p)), 66.0 (O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 29.1 (CHMe₂), 28.9(C′HMe₂), 23.51, 23.45, 23.03, and 22.95 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 21.0 and19.2 (N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 14.2 (OCH₂CH₃)₂), −0.86 (J_(CH)=131.8, NiMe).Anal. Calcd for (C₆₅H₆₅BF₂₄N₂NiO): C, 55.15; H, 4.63; N, 1.98. Found: C,54.74; H, 4.53; N, 2.05.

Example 20 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]NiMe(Et₂O)BAF⁻

Following the procedure of Example 17, a purple powder was obtained andstored at −30° C.: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −80° C.; H₂O and Et₂Oadducts were observed in an 80:20 ratio, respectively.) δ 8.31 and 8.13(s, 0.8 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N; H₂O Adduct), 8.18 and 8.00 (s, 0.2 each,N═C(H)—C′(H)═N; Et₂O Adduct), 7.71 (s, 8 BAF:C_(o)), 7.53 (s, 4,BAF:C_(p)), 7.5-7.0 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 4.21 (s, 1.6, OH₂), 3.5-3.1 (m, 8,O(CH₂CH₃)₂, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 1.38, 1.37, 1.16 and 1.08 (d, 4.8 each,CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′; H₂O Adduct; These peaks overlap with and obscure theCHMe₂ doublets of the Et₂O adduct.), 0.27 (s, 2.4, PdMe; H₂O Adduct),0.12 (s, 0.6, PdMe:Et₂O Adduct).

Examples 21-23

The rate of exchange of free and bound ethylene was determined by ¹H NMRline broadening experiments at −85° C. for complex (XI), see the Tablebelow. The NMR instrument was a 400 MHz Varian® NMR spectrometer.Samples were prepared according to the following procedure: Thepalladium ether adducts {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF,{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂An]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF, and{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF were used as precursors to (XI), andwere weighed (˜15 mg) in a tared 5 mm dia. NMR tube in a nitrogen-filleddrybox. The tube was then capped with a septum and Parafilm® and cooledto −80° C. Dry, degassed CD₂Cl₂ (700 μL) was then added to the palladiumcomplex via gastight syringe, and the tube was shaken and warmed brieflyto give a homogeneous solution. After acquiring a −85° C. NMR spectrum,ethylene was added to the solution via gastight syringe and a second NMRspectrum was acquired at −85° C. The molarity of the BAF counterion wascalculated according to the moles of the ether adduct placed in the NMRtube. The molarity of (XI) and free ethylene were calculated using theBAF peaks as an internal standard. Line-widths (W) were measured athalf-height in units of Hz for the complexed ethylene signal (usually at5 to 4 ppm) and were corrected for line widths (W_(o)) in the absence ofexchange.

For (XI) the exchange rate was determined from the standard equation forthe slow exchange approximation:

k=(W−W_(o))π/[=],

where [=] is the molar concentration of ethylene. These experiments wererepeated twice and an average value is reported below.

Rate Constants for Ethylene Exchange^(a) k Ex. (XI) (L − M⁻¹s⁻¹) 21{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(=)}BAF 45 22 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂An]PdMe(=)}BAF520 23 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(=)}BAF 8100 ^(a)The T₁ of free ethyleneis 15 sec. A pulse delay of 60 sec and a 30° pulse width were used.

Example 24

Anhydrous FeCl₂ (228 mg, 1.8 mmol) and (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn (1.0 g, 2.0mmol) were combined as solids and dissolved in 40 ml of CH₂Cl₂. Themixture was stirred at 25° C. for 4 hr. The resulting green solution wasremoved from the unreacted FeCl₂ via filter cannula. The solvent wasremoved under reduced pressure resulting in a green solid (0.95 g, 84%yield).

A portion of the green solid (40 mg) was immediately transferred toanother Schlenk flask and dissolved in 50 ml of toluene under 1 atm ofethylene. The solution was cooled to 0° C., and 6 ml of a 10% MAOsolution in toluene was added. The resulting purple solution was warmedto 25° C. and stirred for 11 hr. The polymerization was quenched and thepolymer precipitated by acetone. The resulting polymer was washed with6M HCl, water and acetone. Subsequent drying of the polymer resulted in60 mg of white polyethylene. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz) δ 1.25 (CH₂, CH) δ0.85 (m, CH₃).

Example 25 (2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂

A Schlenk tube was charged with 2-t-butylaniline (5.00 mL, 32.1 mmol)and 2,3-butanedione (1.35 mL, 15.4 mmol). Methanol (10 mL) and formicacid (1 mL) were added and a yellow precipitate began to form almostimmediately upon stirring. The reaction mixture was allowed to stirovernight. The resulting yellow solid was collected via filtration anddried under vacuum. The solid was dissolved in ether and dried overNa₂SO₄ for 2-3 h. The ether solution was filtered, condensed and placedinto the freezer (−30° C.). Yellow crystals were isolated via filtrationand dried under vacuum overnight (4.60 g, 85.7%): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 250MHz) δ 7.41(dd, 2H, J=7.7, 1.5 Hz, H_(m)), 7.19 (td, 2H, J=7.5, 1.5 Hz,H_(m) or H_(p)), 7.07 (td, 2H, J=7.6, 1.6 Hz, H_(m) or H_(p)), 6.50 (dd,2H, J=7.7, 1.8 Hz, H_(o)), 2.19 (s, 6H, N═C(Me)—C(Me)═N), 1.34 (s, 18H,C(CH₃)3).

Examples 26 and 27

General Polymerization Procedure for Examples 26 and 27: In the drybox,a glass insert was loaded with [(η³—C₃H₅) Pd(μ-Cl)]₂ (11 mg, 0.03 mmol),NaBAF (53 mg, 0.06 mmol), and an α-diimine ligand (0.06 mmol). Theinsert was cooled to −35° C. in the drybox freezer, 5 mL of C₆D₆ wasadded to the cold insert, and the insert was then capped and sealed.Outside of the drybox, the cold tube was placed under 6.9 MPa ofethylene and allowed to warm to RT as it was shaken mechanically for 18h. An aliquot of the solution was used to acquire a ¹H NMR spectrum. Theremaining portion was added to ˜20 mL of MeOH in order to precipitatethe polymer. The polyethylene was isolated and dried under vacuum

Example 26

α-Diimine was (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂. Polyethylene (50 mg) was isolated asa solid. ¹H NMR spectrum (C₆D₆) is consistent with the production of 1-and 2-butenes and branched polyethylene.

Example 27

α-Diimine was (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn. Polyethylene (17 mg) was isolated as asolid. ¹H NMR spectrum (C₆D₆) is consistent with the production ofbranched polyethylene.

Example 28 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂

The corresponding diimine (980 mg, 2.61 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL ofCH₂Cl₂ in a Schlenk tube under a N₂ atmosphere. This solution was addedvia cannula to a suspension of (DME)NiBr₂ (DME=1,2-dimethoxyethane) (787mg, 2.55 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL). The resulting red/brown mixture wasstirred for 20 hours. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressureresulting in a red/brown solid. The product was washed with 3×10 mL ofhexane and dried in vacuo. The product was isolated as a red/brownpowder (1.25 g, 82% yield).

Example 29 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂

Using a procedure similar to that of Example 28, 500 mg (1.62 mmol)(DME)NiBr₂ and 687 mg (1.70 mmol) of the corresponding diimine werecombined. The product was isolated as an orange/brown powder (670 mg,67% yield).

Example 30 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂

Using a procedure similar to that of Example 28, 500 mg (1.62 mmol)(DME)NiBr₂ and 448 mg (1.70 mmol) of the corresponding diimine werecombined. The product was isolated as a brown powder (622 mg, 80%yield).

Example 31 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂

Using a procedure similar to that of Example 28, 500 mg (1.62 mmol)(DME)NiBr₂ and 850 mg (1.70 mmol) of the corresponding diimine werecombined. The product was isolated as a red powder (998 mg, 86% yield).Anal. Calcd. for C₃₆H₄₀N₂Br₂Ni; C, 60.12; H, 5.61; N, 3.89. Found C,59.88; H, 5.20; N, 3.52.

Example 32 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂

The corresponding diimine (1.92 g, 4.95 mmol) and (DME)NiBr₂ (1.5 g,4.86 mmol) were combined as solids in a flame dried Schlenk under anargon atmosphere. To this mixture 30 mL of CH₂Cl₂ was added giving anorange solution. The mixture was stirred for 18 hours resulting in ared/brown suspension. The CH₂Cl₂ was removed via filter cannula leavinga red/brown solid. The product was washed with 2×10 mL of CH₂Cl₂ anddried under vacuum. The product was obtained as a red/brown powder (2.5g, 83% yield).

Example 33 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂

Using a procedure similar to that of Example 32, the title compound wasmade from 1.5 g (4.86 mmol) (DME)NiBr₂ and 1.45 g (4.95 mmol) of thecorresponding diimine. The product was obtained as a brown powder (2.05g, 81% yield).

Example 34 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl

(COD)PdMeCl (9.04 g, 34.1 mmol) was dissolved in 200 ml of methylenechloride. To this solution was added the corresponding diimine (13.79 g,34.1 mmol). The resulting solution rapidly changed color from yellow toorange-red. After stirring at room temperature for several hours it wasconcentrated to form a saturated solution of the desired product, andcooled to −40° C. overnight. An orange solid crystallized from thesolution, and was isolated by filtration, washed with petroleum ether,and dried to afford 12.54 g of the title compound as an orange powder.Second and third crops of crystals obtained from the mother liquorafforded an additional 3.22 g of product. Total yield =87%.

Examples 35-39

The following compounds were made by a method similar to that used inExample 34.

Example Compound 35 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl 36[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]PdMeCl 37 [(Ph)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl 38[(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl 39 [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl

Note: The diethyl ether complexes described in Examples 41-46 areunstable in non-coordinating solvents such as methylene chloride andchloroform. They are characterized by ¹H NMR spectra recorded in CD₃CN;under these conditions the acetonitrile adduct of the Pd methyl cationis formed. Typically, less than a whole equivalent of free diethyletheris observed by ¹H NMR when [(R)₂DAB(R′)₂]PdMe(OEt₂)X is dissolved inCD₃CN. Therefore, it is believed the complexes designated as“{[(R)₂DAB(R′)₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}X” below are likely mixtures of{[(R)₂DAB(R′)₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}X and [(R)₂DAB(R′)₂]PdMeX, and in the lattercomplexes the X ligand (SbF₆, BF₄, or PF₆) is weakly coordinated topalladium. A formula of the type “{[(R)₂DAB(R′)₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}X” is a“formal” way of conveying the approximate overall composition of thiscompound, but may not accurately depict the exact coordination to themetal atom.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data for Example 36.

¹³C NMR data TCB, 120C, 0.05M CrAcAc freq ppm intensity 46.5568 24.60051 cmp and/or 1,3 ccmcc 44.9321 3.42517 1,3 cmc 40.8118 55.4341 2 pmp40.3658 145.916 1,3 pmp 39.5693 18.458 methylenes from 2 cmp and/or 2cmc 36.7782 4.16118 38.6295 5.84037 38.2844 8.43098 38.1198 8.2980237.8384 3.83966 37.5198 13.4977 37.2384 23.4819 37.1163 16.8339 36.7446114.983 36.0012 6.19217 35.7198 5.17495 34.2278 4.83958 32.9216 20.27813B₆ ⁺, 3EOC 32.619 3.6086 32.4172 2.98497 32.1995 10.637 31.9765 42.254731.8809 143.871 30.4686 27.9974 30.3199 47.1951 30.0225 36.1409 29.7411102.51 29.311 4.83244 28.7111 117.354 28.2597 9.05515 27.1659 22.572527.0067 5.81855 26.1146 13.5772 24.5642 2.59695 ββB 22.6368 12.726 2B₅⁺, 2EOC 20.1413 3.7815 2B₃ 19.7271 20.0959 1B₁ 17.5236 7.01554 end group14.2528 3.03535 1B₃ 13.8812 12.3635 1B₄ ⁺, 1EOC

Example 40 {[(4-Me₂NPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe (MeCN)}SbF₆.MeCN

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 54, using(4-Me₂NPh)₂DABMe₂ in place of (2-C₆H₄-^(t)Bu)₂DABMe₂, afforded{[(4-NMe₂Ph)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(MeCN)}SbF₆.MeCN as a purple solid (product wasnot recrystallized in this instance). ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂) δ 6.96 (d, 2H,H_(aryl)), 6.75 (mult, 6H, H_(aryl)), 3.01 (s, 6H, NMe₂), 2.98 (s, 6H,NMe′₂), 2.30, 2.18, 2.03, 1.96 (s's, 3H each, N═CMe, N═CMe′, and freeand coordinated N≡CMe), 0.49 (s, 3H, Pd—Me).

Example 41 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)_(n)}SbF₆ ⁻

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (0.84 g, 1.49 mmol) was suspended in 50 mLof diethylether and the mixture cooled to −40° C. To this was addedAgSbF₆ (0.52 g, 1.50 mmol). The reaction mixture was allowed to warm toroom temperature, and stirred at room temperature for 90 min. Thereaction mixture was then filtered, giving a pale yellow filtrate and abright yellow precipitate. The yellow precipitate was extracted with4×20 mL 50/50 methylene chloride/diethyl ether. The filtrate andextracts were then combined with an additional 30 mL diethyl ether. Theresulting solution was then concentrated to half its original volume and100 mL of petroleum ether added. The resulting precipitate was filteredoff and dried, affording 1.04 g of the title compound as a yellow-orangepowder (83% yield). ¹H NMR (CD₃CN) δ 7.30 (mult, 6H, H_(aryl)), 3.37 [q,free O(CH₂CH₃)₂], 3.05-2.90 (overlapping sept's, 4H, CHMe₂), 2.20 (s,3H, N═CMe), 2.19 (s, 3H, N═CMe′), 1.35-1.14 (overlapping d's, 24H,CHMe₂), 1.08 (t, free O(CH₂CH₃)₂], 0.28 (s, 3H, Pd—Me). This materialcontained 0.4 equiv of Et₂O per Pd, as determined by ¹H NMR integration.

Example 42 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)_(n)}BF₄ ⁻

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 41, using AgBF₄ in placeof AgSbF₆, afforded the title compound as a mustard yellow powder in 61%yield. This material contained 0.3 equiv of Et₂O per Pd, as determinedby ¹H NMR integration. ¹H NMR in CD₃CN was otherwise identical to thatof the compound made in Example 41.

Example 43 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)_(n)}PF₆ ⁻

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 41, using AgPF₆ in placeof AgSbF₆, afforded the title compound as a yellow-orange powder in 72%yield. This material contained 0.4 equiv of Et₂O per Pd, as determinedby ¹H NMR integration. ¹H NMR in CD₃CN was identical to that of thecompound of Example 41.

Example 44 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(Et₂O)_(n)}SbF₆ ⁻

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 41, using[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl in place of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl,afforded the title compound in 71% yield. ¹H NMR (CD₃CN) δ 8.30 (s, 2H,N═CH and N═CH′), 7.30 (s, 6H, H_(aryl)), 3.37 [q, free O(CH₂CH₃)₂], 3.15(br, 4H, CHMe₂), 1.40-1.10 (br, 24H, CHMe₂), 1.08 (t, free O(CH₂CH₃)₂],0.55 (s, 3H, Pd—Me). This material contained 0.5 equiv of Et₂O per Pd.as determined by ¹H NMR integration.

Example 45 {[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)_(n)}SbF₆ ⁻

[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (0.50 g, 1.05 mmol) was partially dissolvedin 40 mL 50/50 methylene chloride/diethylether. To this mixture at roomtemperature was added AgSbF₆ (0.36 g, 1.05 mmol). The resulting reactionmixture was stirred at room temperature for 45 min. It was thenfiltered, and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to afford an oilysolid. The latter was washed with diethyl ether and dried to afford thetitle compound as a beige powder. ¹H NMR (CD₃CN) δ 6.99 (s, 4H,H_(aryl)) 3.38 [q, free O(CH₂CH₃)₂], 2.30-2.00 (overlapping s's, 24H,N═CMe, N═CMe′ and aryl Me's), 1.08 (t, free O(CH₂CH₃)₂], 0.15 (s, 3H,Pd—Me). This material contained 0.7 equiv of Et₂O per Pd, as determinedby ¹H MR integration.

Example 46 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(Et₂O)_(n)}SbF₆ ⁻

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 41, using[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]PdMeCl in place of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl,afforded the title compound in 92% yield. ¹H NMR (CD₃CN) δ 8.22 (br t,2H, H_(aryl)), 7.60-7.42 (br mult, 8H, H_(aryl)), 6.93 (br d, 1H,H_(aryl)), 6.53 (br d, 1H, H_(aryl)), 3.38 [q, free O(CH₂CH₃)₂], 3.30(br mult, 4H, CHMe₂), 1.36 (br d, 6H, CHMe₂), 1.32 (br d, 6H, CHMe₂),1.08 (t, free O(CH₂CH₃)₂], 1.02 (br d, 6H, CHMe₂), 0.92 (br d, 6H,CHMe₂), 0.68 (s, 3H, Pd—Me). The amount of ether contained in theproduct could not be determined precisely by ¹H NMR integration, due tooverlapping resonances.

Example 47 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe (OSO₂CF₃)

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 41, using AgOSO₂CF₃ inplace of AgSbF₆, afforded the title compound as a yellow-orange powder.¹H NMR in CD₃CN was identical to that of the title compound of Example41, but without free ether resonances.

Example 48 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(MeCN)}SbF₆ ⁻

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (0.40 g, 0.71 mmol) was dissolved in 15 mLacetonitrile to give an orange solution. To this was added AgSbF₆ (0.25g, 0.71 mmol) at room temperature. AgCl immediately precipitated fromthe resulting bright yellow reaction mixture. The mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 3 h. It was then filtered and the AgCl precipitateextracted with 5 mL of acetonitrile. The combined filtrate and extractwere concentrated to dryness affording a yellow solid. This wasrecrystallized from methylene chloride/petroleum ether affording 0.43 gof the title compound as a bright yellow powder (Yield=75%). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 7.35-7.24 (mult, 6H, H_(aryl)), 2.91 (mult, 4H, CHMe₂), 2.29(s, 3H, N═CMe), 2.28 (s, 3H, N═CMe′), 1.81 (s, 3H, N≡Me), 1.37-1.19(overlapping d's, 24H, CHMe′s), 0.40 (s, 3H, Pd—Me). This compound canalso be prepared by addition of acetonitrile to{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻.

Example 49 {[(Ph)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(MeCN)}SbF₆ ⁻

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 48, using[(Ph)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl in place of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl, affordedthe title compound as a yellow microcrystalline solid uponrecrystallization from methylene chloride/petroleum ether. This complexcrystallizes as the acetonitrile solvate from acetonitrile solution at−40° C. ¹H NMR of material recrystallized from methylenechloride/petroleum ether: (CDCl₃) δ 7.46 (mult, 4H, H_(aryl)), 7.30 (t,2H, H_(aryl)), 7.12 (d, 2H, H_(aryl)), 7.00 (d, 2H, H_(aryl)), 2.31 (s,3H, N═CMe), 2.25 (s, 3H, N═CMe′), 1.93 (s, 3H, N≡CMe), 0.43 (s, 3H,Pd—Me).

Example 50 {[(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(MeCN)}BAF⁻

[(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (0.200 g, 0.396 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mLof acetonitrile to give an orange solution. To this was added NaBAF(0.350 g, 0.396 mmol). The reaction mixture turned bright yellow andNaCl precipitated. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperaturefor 30 min and then filtered through a Celite® pad. The Celite® pad wasextracted with 5 mL of acetonitrile. The combined filtrate and extractwas concentrated in vacuo to afford an orange solid, recrystallizationof which from methylene chloride/petroleum ether at −40° C. afforded0.403 g of the title compound as orange crystals (Yield=74%). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 7.68 (s, 8H, H_(ortho) of anion), 7.51 (s, 4H, H_(para) ofanion), 7.33-7.19 (mult, 6H, H_(aryl) of cation), 2.56-2.33 (mult, 8H,CH₂CH₃), 2.11 (s, 3H, N═CMe), 2.09 (s, 3H, N═CMe′), 1.71 (s, 3H, N≡CMe),1.27-1.22 (mult, 12H, CH₂CH₃), 0.41 (s, 3H, Pd—Me).

Example 51 {[(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(MeCN)}SbF₆ ⁻

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 50, using AgSbF₆ in placeof NaBAF, afforded the title compound as yellow crystals in 99% yieldafter recrystallization from methylene chloride/petroleum ether at −40°C.

Example 52 [(COD)PdMe(NCMe)]SbF₆ ⁻

To (COD)PdMeCl (1.25 g, 4.70 mmol) was added a solution of acetonitrile(1.93 g, 47.0 mmol) in 20 mL methylene chloride. To this clear solutionwas added AgSbF₆ (1.62 g, 4.70 mmol). A white solid immediatelyprecipitated. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for45 min, and then filtered. The yellow filtrate was concentrated todryness, affording a yellow solid. This was washed with ether and dried,affording 2.27 g of [(COD)PdMe(NCMe)]SbF₆ ⁻ as a light yellow powder(yield=95%). ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂) δ 5.84 (mult, 2H, CH═CH), 5.42 (mult, 2H,CH′═CH′), 2.65 (mult, 4H, CHH′), 2.51 (mult, 4H, CHH′), 2.37 (s, 3H,NCMe), 1.18 (s, 3H, Pd—Me).

Example 53 [(COD)PdMe(NCMe)]BAF⁻

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 52, using NaBAF in placeof AgSbF₆, afforded the title compound as a light beige powder in 96%yield.

Example 54 {[(2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(MeCN)}SbF₆ ⁻

To a suspension of (2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂ (0.138 g, 0.395 mmol) in 10 mL ofacetonitrile was added [(COD)PdMe(NCMe)]SbF₆ (0.200 g, 0.395 mmol). Theresulting yellow solution was stirred at room temperature for 5 min. Itwas then extracted with 3×10 mL of petroleum ether. The yellowacetonitrile phase was concentrated to dryness, affording a brightyellow powder. Recrystallization from methylene chloride/petroleum etherat −40° C. afforded 180 mg of the title product as a bright yellowpowder (yield=61%). ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂) δ 7.57 (dd, 2H, H_(aryl)), 7.32(mult, 4H, H_(aryl)), 6.88 (dd, 2H, H_(aryl)), 6.78 (dd, 2H, H_(aryl)),2.28 (s, 3H, N═CMe), 2.22 (s, 3H, N═CMe′), 1.78 (s, 3H, N≡CMe), 1.48 (s,18H, ^(t)Bu), 0.52 (s, 3H, Pd—Me).

Example 55 {[(Np)₂DABMe₂]PdMe (MeCN)}SbF₆ ⁻

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 54, using (Np)₂DABMe₂ inplace of (2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂, afforded the title compound as an orangepowder in 52% yield after two recrystallizations from methylenechloride/petroleum ether. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂) δ 8.20-7.19 (mult, 14 H.H_(aromatic)), 2.36 (d, J=4.3 Hz, 3H, N═CMe), 2.22 (d, J=1.4 Hz, 3H,N═CMe′), 1.32 (s, 3H, NCMe), 0.22 (s, 3H, Pd—Me).

Example 56 {[(Ph₂CH)₂DABH₂]PdMe (MeCN)}SbF₆ ⁻

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 54, using (Ph₂CH)₂DABH₂ inplace of (2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂, afforded the title compound as a yellowmicrocrystalline solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.69 (s, 1H, N═CH), 7.65 (s,1H, N═CH′), 7.44-7.08 (mult, 20H, H_(aryl)), 6.35 (2, 2H, CHPh₂), 1.89(s, 3H, NCMe), 0.78 (s, 3H, Pd—Me).

Example 57 {[(2-PhPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe (MeCN)}SbF₆ ⁻

A procedure analogous to that used in Example 54, using (2-PhPh)₂DABMe₂in place of (2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂, afforded the title compound as ayellow-orange powder in 90% yield. Two isomers, due to cis or transorientations of the two ortho phenyl groups on either side of the squareplane, were observed by ¹H NMR. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂) δ 7.80-6.82 (mult, 18H,H_(aryl)), 1.98, 1.96, 1.90, 1.83, 1.77, 1.73 (singlets, 9H, N═CMe,N═CMe′, NCMe for cis and trans isomers), 0.63, 0.61 (singlets, 3H, Pd—Mefor cis and trans isomers).

Example 58 {[(Ph)₂DAB (cyclo-CMe₂CH₂CMe₂—)]PdMe(MeCN)}BAF⁻

To a solution of [(COD)PdMe(NCMe)]BAF⁻ (0.305 g, 0.269 mmol) dissolvedin 15 mL of acetonitrile was addedN,N′-diphenyl-2,2′,4,4′-tetramethylcyclopentyldiazine (0.082 g, 0.269mmol). A gold colored solution formed rapidly and was stirred at roomtemperature for 20 min. The solution was then extracted with 4×5 mLpetroleum ether, and the acetonitrile phase concentrated to dryness toafford a yellow powder. This was recrystallized from methylenechloride/petroleum ether at −40° C. to afford 0.323 g (90%) of the titlecompound as a yellow-orange, crystalline solid. 1H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.71(s, 8H, H_(ortho) of anion), 7.54 (s, 4H, H_(para) of anion), 7.45-6.95(mult, 10H, H_(aryl) of cation), 1.99 (s, 2H, CH₂), 1.73 (s, 3H, NCMe),1.15 (s, 6H, Me₂), 1.09 (s, 6H, Me′₂), 0.48 (s, 3H, Pd—Me).

Example 59 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(CH₂CH₂CH₂CO₂Me)}SbF₆ ⁻

Under a nitrogen atmosphere {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF6⁻ (3.60g, 4.30 mmol) was weighed into a round bottom flask containing amagnetic stirbar. To this was added a −40° C. solution of methylacrylate (1.85 g, 21.5 mmol) dissolved in 100 ml of methylene chloride.The resulting orange solution was stirred for 10 min, while beingallowed to warm to room temperature. The reaction mixture was thenconcentrated to dryness, affording a yellow-brown solid. The crudeproduct was extracted with methylene chloride, and the orange-redextract concentrated, layered with an equal volume of petroleum ether,and cooled to −40° C. This afforded 1.92 g of the title compound asyellow-orange crystals. An additional 1.39 g was obtained as a secondcrop from the mother liquor; total yield=91%. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂) δ7.39-7.27 (mult, 6H, H_(aryl)) 3.02 (s, 3H, OMe), 2.97 (sept, 4H,CHMe₂), 2.40 (mult, 2H, CH₂), 2.24 (s, 3H, N═CMe), 2.22 (s, 3H, N═CMe′),1.40-1.20 (mult, 26H, CHMe₂ and CH₂′), 0.64 (mult, 2H, CH₂″).

Example 60 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd(CH₂CH₂CH₂CO₂Me)}SbF₆ ⁻

AgSbF₆ (0.168 g, 0.489 mmol) was added to a −40° C. solution of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl (0.260 g, 0.487 mmol) and methyl acrylate(0.210 g, 2.44 mmol) in 10 mL methylene chloride. The reaction mixturewas stirred for 1 h while warming to room temperature, and thenfiltered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give a saturatedsolution of the title compound, which was then layered with an equalvolume of petroleum ether and cooled to −40° C. Red-orange crystalsprecipitated from the solution. These were separated by filtration anddried, affording 0.271 g of the title compound (68% yield). ¹H NMR(CD₂Cl₂) δ 8.38 (s, 1H, N═CH), 8.31 (s, 1H, N═CH′), 7.41-7.24 (mult, 6H,H_(aryl))i 3.16 (mult, 7H, OMe and CHMe₂), 2.48 (mult, 2H, CH₂), 1.65(t, 2H, CH₂′), 1.40-1.20 (mult, 24H, CHMe₂), 0.72 (mult, 2H, CH₂″).

Example 61 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(CH₂CH₂CH₂CO₂Me)}[B(C₆F₅)₃Cl]

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (0.038 g, 0.067 mmol) and methyl acrylate(0.028 g, 0.33 mmol) were dissolved in CD₂Cl₂. To this solution wasadded B(C₆F₅)₃ (0.036 g, 0.070 mmol). ¹H NMR of the resulting reactionmixture showed formation of the title compound.

Example 62

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with chloroform (50 mL),{[(2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.090 g, 0.12 mmol), and ethylene(2.1 MPa). The reaction mixture was stirred at 25° C. and 2.1 MPaethylene for 3 h. The ethylene pressure was then vented and volatilesremoved from the reaction mixture in vacuo to afford 2.695 g of branchedpolyethylene. The number average molecular weight (M_(n)), calculated by¹H NMR integration of aliphatic vs. olefinic resonances, was 1600. Thedegree of polymerization, DP, was calculated on the basis of the ¹H NMRspectrum to be 59; for a linear polymer this would result in 18methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes. However, based on the ¹H NMRspectrum the number of methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes wascalculated to be 154. Therefore, it may be concluded that this materialwas branched polyethylene. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 5.38 (mult, vinyl H's), 1.95(mult, allylic methylenes), 1.62 (mult, allylic methyls), 1.24 (mult,non-allylic methylenes and methines), 0.85 (mult, non-allylic methyls).

Example 63

A suspension of {[(2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.015 g, 0.02mmol) in 5 mL FC-75 was agitated under 2.8 MPa of ethylene for 30 min.The pressure was then increased to 4.1 MPa and maintained at thispressure for 3 h. During this time the reaction temperature variedbetween 25 and 40° C. A viscous oil was isolated from the reactionmixture by decanting off the FC-75 and dried in vacuo. The numberaverage molecular weight (M_(n)), calculated by ¹H NMR integration ofaliphatic vs. olefinic resonances, was 2600. DP for this material wascalculated on the basis of the ¹H NMR spectrum to be 95; for a linearpolymer this would result in 11 methyl-ended branches per 1000methylenes. However, based on the ¹H NMR spectrum the number ofmethyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes was calculated to be 177.

Example 64

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with chloroform (55 mL),{[(2-PhPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.094 g, 0.12 mmol), and ethylene(2.1 MPa). The reaction mixture was stirred at 25° C. and 2.1 MPaethylene for 3 h. The ethylene pressure was then vented and volatilesremoved from the reaction mixture in vacuo to afford 2.27 g of a paleyellow oil. Mn was calculated on the basis of ¹H NMR integration ofaliphatic vs. olefinic resonances to be 200. The degree ofpolymerization, DP, was calculated on the basis of the ¹H NMR spectrumto be 7.2; for a linear polymer this would result in 200 methyl-endedbranches per 1000 methylenes. However, based on the ¹H NMR spectrum thenumber of methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes was calculated to be283.

Example 65

A suspension of [(2-PhPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.016 g, 0.02 mmol)in 5 mL FC-75 was agitated under 1.4 MPa of ethylene for 3 h 40 min.During this time the reaction temperature varied between 23 and 41° C. Aviscous oil (329 mg) was isolated from the reaction mixture by decantingoff the FC-75 and dried in vacuo. Mn was calculated on the basis of ¹HNMR integration of aliphatic vs. olefinic resonances to be 700. Thedegree of polymerization, DP, was calculated on the basis of the ¹H NMRspectrum to be 24.1; for a linear polymer this would result in 45methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes. However, based on the ¹H NMRspectrum the number of methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes wascalculated to be 173.

Example 66

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with FC-75 (50 mL),{(Ph₂DABMe₂)PdMe(NCMe)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.076 g, 0.12 mmol) and ethylene (2.1MPa). The reaction mixture was stirred at 24° C. for 1.5 h. The ethylenepressure was then vented, and the FC-75 mixture removed from thereactor. A small amount of insoluble oil was isolated from the mixtureby decanting off the FC-75. The reactor was washed out with 2×50 mLCHCl₃, and the washings added to the oil. Volatiles removed from theresulting solution in vacuo to afford 144 mg of an oily solid. Mn wascalculated on the basis of ¹H NMR integration of aliphatic vs. olefinicresonances to be 400. The degree of polymerization, DP, was calculatedon the basis of the ¹H NMR spectrum to be 13.8; for a linear polymerthis would result in 83 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes.However, based on the ¹H NMR spectrum the number of methyl-endedbranches per 1000 methylenes was calculated to be 288.

Example 67

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with chloroform (50 mL),{[(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)}BAF⁻ (0.165 g, 0.12 mmol), and ethylene(2.1 MPa). The reaction mixture was stirred under 2.1 MPa of ethylenefor 60 min; during this time the temperature inside the reactorincreased from 22 to 48° C. The ethylene pressure was then vented andvolatiles removed from the reaction mixture in vacuo to afford 15.95 gof a viscous oil. ¹H NMR of this material showed it to be branchedpolyethylene with 135 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes. GPCanalysis in trichlorobenzene (vs. a linear polyethylene standard) gaveM_(n)=10,400, M_(w)=22,100.

Example 68

This was run identically to Example 67, but with{[(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.090 g, 0.12 mmol) in place ofthe corresponding BAF salt. The temperature of the reaction increasedfrom 23 to 30° C. during the course of the reaction. 5.25 g of a viscousoil was isolated, ¹H NMR of which showed it to be branched polyethylenewith 119 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes.

Example 69

A suspension of {[(Np)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.027 g, 0.02 mmol) in5 mL FC-75 was agitated under 1.4 MPa of ethylene for 3 h; during thistime the temperature inside the reactor varied between 25 and 40° C. TwoFC-75 insoluble fractions were isolated from the reaction mixture. Onefraction, a non-viscous oil floating on top of the FC-75, was removed bypipette and shown by ¹H NMR to be branched ethylene oligomers for whichM_(n)=150 and with 504 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes. Theother fraction was a viscous oil isolated by removing FC-75 by pipette;it was shown by ¹H NMR to be polyethylene for which M_(n)=650 and with240 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes.

Example 70

A suspension of {[(Ph₂CH)₂DABH₂]PdMe(NCMe)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.016 g, 0.02 mmol)in 5 mL FC-75 was agitated under 1.4 MPa of ethylene for 3 h 40 min.During this time the reaction temperature varied between 23 and 41° C. Aviscous oil (43 mg) was isolated from the reaction mixture by decantingoff the FC-75 and dried in vacuo. Mn was calculated on the basis of ¹HNMR integration of aliphatic vs. olefinic resonances to be approximately2000. The degree of polymerization, DP, was calculated on the basis ofthe ¹H NMR spectrum to be 73; for a linear polymer this would result in14 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes. However, based on the ¹HNMR spectrum the number of methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes wascalculated to be 377.

Example 71

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with FC-75 (50 mL), <{Ph₂DAB(cyclo—CMe₂CH₂CMe₂—)}PdMe(MeCN))BAF⁻ (0.160 g, 0.12 mmol) and ethylene (2.1MPa). The reaction mixture was stirred at 24-25° C. for 3.5 h. Theethylene pressure was then vented, and the cloudy FC-75 mixture removedfrom the reactor. The FC-75 mixture was extracted with chloroform, andthe chloroform extract concentrated to dryness affording 0.98 g of anoil. Mn was calculated on the basis of ¹H NMR integration of aliphaticvs. olefinic resonances to be 500. The degree of polymerization, DP, wascalculated on the basis of the ¹H NMR spectrum to be 19.5; for a linearpolymer this would result in 57 methyl-ended branches per 1000methylenes. However, based on the 1H NMR spectrum the number ofmethyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes was calculated to be 452.

Example 72

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with FC-75 (50 mL),{[(4-NMe₂Ph)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(MeCN)}SbF₆ ⁻ (MeCN) (0.091 g, 0.12 mmol) andethylene (2.1 MPa). The reaction mixture was stirred at 24° C. for 1.5h. The ethylene pressure was then vented, and the cloudy FC-75 mixtureremoved from the reactor. The FC-75 was extracted with 3×25 mL ofchloroform. The reactor was washed out with 3×40 mL CHCl₃, and thewashings added to the extracts. Volatiles removed from the resultingsolution in vacuo to afford 556 mg of an oil. Mn was calculated on thebasis of ¹H NMR integration of aliphatic vs. olefinic resonances to be200. The degree of polymerization, DP, was calculated on the basis ofthe ¹H NMR spectrum to be 8.4; for a linear polymer this would result in154 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes. However, based on the ¹HNMR spectrum the number of methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes wascalculated to be 261.

Example 73

Under nitrogen, a 250 mL Schlenk flask was charged with 10.0 g of themonomer CH₂═CHCO₂CH₂CH₂(CF₂)_(n)CF₃ (avg n=9), 40 mL of methylenechloride, and a magnetic stirbar. To the rapidly stirred solution wasadded [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.075 g, 0.089 mmol) insmall portions. The resulting yellow-orange solution was stirred under 1atm of ethylene for 18 h. The reaction mixture was then concentrated,and the viscous product extracted with ˜300 mL of petroleum ether. Theyellow filtrate was concentrated to dryness, and extracted a second timewith ˜150 mL petroleum ehter. ˜500 mL of methanol was added to thefiltrate; the copolymer precipitated as an oil which adhered to thesides of the flask and was isolated by decanting off the petroleumether/methanol mixture. The copolymer was dried, affording 1.33 g of aslightly viscous oil. Upon standing for several hours, an additional0.70 g of copolymer precipitated from the petroleum ether/methanolmixture. By ¹H NMR integration, it was determined that the acrylatecontent of this material was 4.2 mole %, and that it contained 26 esterand 87 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes. GPC analysis intetrahydrofuran (vs. a PMMA standard) gave M_(n)=30,400, M_(w)=40,200.¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 4.36 (t, CH₂CH₂CO2CH₂CH₂R_(f)), 2.45 (mult,CH₂CH₂CO2CH₂CH₂R_(f)), 2.31 (t, CH₂CH₂CO2CH₂CH₂R_(f)), 1.62 (mult,CH₂CH₂CO2CH₂CH₂R_(f)), 1.23 (mult, other methylenes and methines), 0.85(mult, methyls). ¹³C NMR gave branching per 1000CH₂: Total methyls(91.3), Methyl (32.8), Ethyl(20), Propyl (2.2), Butyl (7.7), Amyl (2.2),≧Hex and end of chains (22.1). GPC analysis in THF gave Mn=30,400,Mw=40,200 vs. PMMA.

Example 74

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with [Pd(CH₃CH₂CN)₄](BF₄)₂ (0.058 g, 0.12mmol) and chloroform (40 mL). To this was added a solution of(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ (0.070 g, 0.17 mmol) dissolved in 10 mL ofchloroform under ethylene pressure (2.1 MPa). The pressure wasmaintained at 2.1 MPa for 1.5. h, during which time the temperatureinside the reactor increased from 22 to 35° C. The ethylene pressure wasthen vented and the reaction mixture removed from the reactor. Thereactor was washed with 3×50 mL of chloroform, the washings added to thereaction mixture, and volatiles removed from the resulting solution invacuo to afford 9.77 g of a viscous oil. ¹H NMR of this material showedit to be branched polyethylene with 96 methyl-ended branches per 1000methylenes.

Example 75

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with [Pd(CH₃CN)₄] (BF₄)₂ (0.053 g, 0.12mmol) and chloroform (50 mL). To this was added a solution of(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ (0.070 g, 0.17 mmol) dissolved in 10 mL ofchloroform under ethylene pressure (2.1 MPa). The pressure wasmaintained at 2.1 MPa for 3.0 h, during which time the temperatureinside the reactor increased from 23 to 52° C. The ethylene pressure wasthen vented and the reaction mixture removed from the reactor. Thereactor was washed with 3×50 mL of chloroform, the washings added to thereaction mixture, and volatiles removed from the resulting solution invacuo to afford 25.98 g of a viscous oil. ¹H NMR of this material showedit to be branched polyethylene with 103 methyl-ended branches per 1000methylenes. GPC analysis in trichlorobenzene gave M_(n)=10,800,M_(w)=21,200 vs. linear polyethylene.

Example 76

A mixture of 20 mg (0.034 mmol) of [(2,6-i-PrPh)DABH₂]NiBr₂ and 60 mLdry, deaerated toluene was magnetically-stirred under nitrogen in a200-mL three-necked flask with a gas inlet tube, a thermometer, and agas exit tube which vented through a mineral oil bubbler. To thismixture, 0.75 mL (65 eq) of 3M poly(methylalumoxane) (PMAO) in toluenewas added via syringe. The resulting deep blue-black catalyst solutionwas stirred as ethylene was bubbled through at about 5 ml and 1 atm for2 hr. The temperature of the mixture rose. to 60° C. in the first 15 minand then dropped to room temperature over the course of the reaction.

The product solution was worked up by blending with methanol; theresulting white polymer was washed with 2N HCl, water, and methanol toyield after drying (50° C./vacuum/nitrogen purge) 5.69 g (6000 catalystturnovers) of polyethylene which was easily-soluble in hotchlorobenzene. Differential scanning calorimetry exhibited abroadmelting point at 107° C. (67 J/g). Gel permeation chromatography(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aspolyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=22,300;M_(w)=102,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=4.56. ¹³C NMR analysis: branching per 1000CH₂: total Methyls (60), Methyl (41), Ethyl (5.8), Propyl (2.5), Butyl(2.4), Amyl (1.2), ≧Hexyl and end of chain (5); chemical shifts werereferenced to the solvent: the high field carbon of1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (127.8 ppm). A film of polymer. (pressed at 200°C.) was strong and could be stretched and drawn without elasticrecovery.

Example 77

In a Parr® 600-mL stirred autoclave under nitrogen was combined 23 mg(0.039 mmol) of [(2,6-i-PrPh)DABH₂]NiBr₂, 60 mL of dry toluene, and 0.75mL of poly(methylalumoxane) at 28° C. The mixture was stirred, flushedwith ethylene, and pressurized to 414 kPa with ethylene. The reactionwas stirred at 414 kPa for 1 hr; the internal temperature rose to 31° C.over this time. After 1 hr, the ethylene was vented and 200 mL ofmethanol was added with stirring to the autoclave. The resulting polymerslurry was filtered; the polymer adhering to the autoclave walls andimpeller was scraped off and added to the filtered polymer. The productwas washed with methanol and acetone and dried (80° C./vacuum/nitrogenpurge) to yield 5.10 g (4700 catalyst turnovers) of polyethylene.Differential scanning calorimetry exhibited a melting point at 127° C.(170 J/g). Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.,polystyrene reference, results calculated as polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=49,300; M_(w)=123,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=2.51. Intrinsic viscosity (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.): 1.925dL/g. Absolute molecular weight averages corrected for branching:M_(n)=47,400; M_(w)=134,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.83. ¹³C NMR Analysis;branching per 1000 CH₂: total Methyls (10.5), Methyl (8.4), Ethyl (0.9),Propyl (0), Butyl (0), ≧Butyl and end of chain (1.1); chemical shiftswere referenced to the solvent: the high field carbon of1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (127.8 ppm). A film of polymer (pressed at 200°C.) was strong and stiff and could be stretched and drawn withoutelastic recovery. This polyethylene is much more crystalline and linearthan the polymer of Example 76. This example shows that only a modestpressure increase from 1 atm to 414 kPa allows propagation tosuccessfully compete with rearrangement and isomerization of the polymerchain by this catalyst, thus giving a less-branched, more-crystallinepolyethylene.

Example 78

A mixture of 12 mg (0.020 mmol) of [(2,6-i-PrPh)DABH₂]NiBr₂ and 40 mLdry, deaerated toluene was magnetically-stirred under nitrogen at 15° C.in a 100-mL three-necked flask with an addition funnel, a thermometer,and a nitrogen inlet tube which vented through a mineral oil bubbler. Tothis mixture, 0.5 mL of poly(methylalumoxane) in toluene was added viasyringe; the resulting burgundy catalyst solution was stirred for 5 minand allowed to warm to room temperature. Into the addition funnel wascondensed (via a Dry Ice condenser on the top of the funnel) 15 mL(about log) of cis-2-butene. The catalyst solution was stirred as thecis-2-butene was added as a liquid all at once, and the mixture wasstirred for 16 hr. The product solution was treated with 1 mL ofmethanol and was filtered through diatomaceous earth; rotary evaporationyielded 0.35 g (300 catalyst turnovers) of a light yellow grease,poly-2-butene. ¹³C NMR analysis; branching per 1000 CH₂: total Methyls(365), Methyl (285), Ethyl (72), ≧Butyl and end of chain (8); chemicalshifts were referenced to the solvent chloroform-d₁ (77 ppm).

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR Data CDCl₃, RT, 0.05M CnAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 41.6071 11.295441.1471 13.7193 38.6816 3.55568 37.1805 7.07882 36.8657 33.8859 36.736635.1101 36.6196 33.8905 36.2645 12.1006 35.9094 13.3271 35.8004 11.884535.5785 4.20104 34.7351 24.9682 34.4325 39.3436 34.3114 59.2878 34.1177125.698 33.9886 121.887 33.8837 120.233 33.5326 49.8058 33.004 132.84232.7377 51.2221 32.657 55.6128 32.3705 18.1589 31.5876 9.27643 31.381816.409 31.0066 15.1861 30.0946 41.098 29.9736 42.8009 29.7072 106.31429.3602 60.0884 29.2512 35.0694 29.114 26.6437 28.9769 29.1226 27.93583.57351 27.7501 3.56527 27.0682 14.6121 26.7333 81.0769 26.3257 14.459126.015 11.8399 25.3008 8.17451 25.0627 5.98833 22.4801 3.60955 2B₄22.3308 10.4951 2B₅+, EOC 19.6192 90.3272 1B₁ 19.4618 154.354 1B₁19.3085 102.085 1B₁ 18.9937 34.7667 1B₁ 18.8525 38.7651 1B₁ 13.772111.2148 1B₄+, EOC, 1B₃ 11.0484 54.8771 1B₂ 10.4552 10.8437 1B₂ 10.128311.0735 1B₂ 9.99921 9.36226 1B₂

Example 79

A mixture of 10 mg (0.017 mmol) of [(2,6-i-PrPh)DABH₂]NiBr₂ and 40 mLdry, deaerated toluene was magnetically-stirred under nitrogen at 5° C.in a 100-mL three-necked flask with an addition funnel, a thermometer,and a nitrogen inlet tube which vented through a mineral oil bubbler. Tothis mixture, 0.5 mL of 3M poly(methylalumoxane) in toluene was addedvia syringe; the resulting burgundy catalyst solution was stirred at 5°C. for 40 min. Into the addition funnel was condensed (via a Dry Icecondenser on the top of the funnel) 20 mL (about 15 g) of 1-butene. Thecatalyst solution was stirred as the 1-butene was. added as a liquid allat once. The reaction temperature rose to 50° C. over 30 min and thendropped to room temperature as the mixture was stirred for 4 hr. Theproduct solution was treated with 1 mL of methanol and was filteredthrough diatomaceous earth; rotary evaporation yielded 6.17 g (164.0catalyst turnovers) of clear, tacky poly-1-butene rubber. Gel permeationchromatography (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference,results calculated as polyethylene using universal calibration theory):M_(n)=64,700; M_(w)=115,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.77. ¹³C NMR analysis;branching per 1000 CH₂:total Methyls (399), Methyl (86), Ethyl (272),≧Butyl and end of chain (41); chemical shifts were referenced to thesolvent chloroform-d₁ (77 ppm). This example demonstrates thepolymerization of an alpha-olefin and shows the differences in branchingbetween a polymer derived from a 1-olefin (this example) and a polymerderived from a 2-olefin (Example 78). This difference shows that theinternal olefin of Example 78 is not first isomerized to an alpha-olefinbefore polymerizing; thus this catalyst is truly able to polymerizeinternal olefins.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR Data CDCl₃, RT, 0.05M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 43.8708 6.4290141.5304 11.1597 41.0825 16.1036 38.7623 103.647 38.1247 50.3288 37.333824.6017 36.8173 30.0925 35.756 55.378 35.0337 22.3563 34.1419 64.843133.8514 55.3508 33.4116 90.2438 33.0645 154.939 32.7094 51.3245 32.43123.0013 3B₅ 30.946 12.8866 3B₆+ 30.1551 26.1216 29.7516 54.6262 29.424840.7879 27.6008 8.64277 27.2417 20.1564 27.1207 21.9735 26.7777 45.082426.0755 66.0697 25.6599 77.1097 24.3807 8.9175 23.4809 32.0249 2B₄,2B₅+, 2EOC 22.8393 8.06774 22.1372 16.4732 19.4981 57.7003 1B₁ 19.360970.588 1B₁ 15.132 17.2402 1B₄+ 13.8448 7.9343 1B₄+ 12.2509 27.865312.037 27.0118 11.0766 6.61931 1B₂ 10.2938 98.0101 1B₂ 10.1364 104.8111B₂

Example 80

A 22-mg (0.037-mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)DABH₂]NiBr₂ was introducedinto a 600-mL stirred Parr® autoclave under nitrogen. The autoclave wassealed and 75 mL of dry, deaerated toluene was introduced into theautoclave via gas tight syringe through a port on the autoclave head.Then 0.6 mL of 3M poly(methylalumoxane) was added via syringe andstirring was begun. The autoclave was pressurized with propylene to 414kPa and stirred with continuous propylene feed. There was no externalcooling. The internal temperature quickly rose to 33° C. upon initialpropylene addition but gradually dropped back to 24° C. over the courseof the polymerization. After about 7 min, the propylene feed was shutoff and stirring was continued; over a total polymerization time of 1.1hr, the pressure dropped from 448 kpa to 358 kPa. The propylene wasvented and the product, a thin, honey-colored solution, was rotaryevaporated to yield 1.65 g of a very thick, brown semi-solid. This wasdissolved in chloroform and filtered through diatomaceous earth;concentration yielded 1.3 g (835 catalyst turnovers) of tacky, yellowpolypropylene rubber. Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene,135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as polypropyleneusing universal calibration theory) M_(n)=7,940; M_(w)93,500;M_(w)/M_(n)=11.78.

Example 81

A mixture of 34 mg (0.057 mmol) of [(2,6-i-PrPh)DABH₂]NiBr₂ and 20 mLdry, deaerated toluene was magnetically-stirred under nitrogen at 5° C.in a 100-mL three-necked flask with a thermometer and a nitrogen inlettube which vented through a mineral oil bubbler. To this mixture, 0.7 mLof 3M poly(methylalumoxane) in toluene was added via syringe and theresulting deep blue-black solution was stirred for 30 min at 5° C. Tothis catalyst solution was added 35 mL of dry, deaerated cyclopentene,and the mixture was stirred and allowed to warm to room temperature over23 hr. The blue-black mixture was filtered through alumina to removedark blue-green solids (oxidized aluminum compounds from PMAO); thefiltrate was rotary evaporated to yield 1.2 g (310 catalyst turnovers)of clear liquid cyclopentene oligomers.

Example 82

A 20-mg (0.032 mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)DABMe₂]NiBr₂ was placed inParr® 600-mL stirred autoclave under nitrogen. The autoclave was sealedand 100 mL of dry, deaerated toluene and 0.6 mL of 3Mpoly(methylalumoxane) were injected into the autoclave through the headport, and mixture was stirred under nitrogen at 20° C. for 50 min. Theautoclave body was immersed in a flowing water bath and the autoclavewas then pressurized with ethylene to 2.8 MPa with stirring as theinternal temperature rose to 53° C. The autoclave was stirred at 2.8 MPa(continuous ethylene feed) for 10 min as the temperature dropped to 29°C., and the ethylene was then vented. The mixture stood at 1 atm for 10min; vacuum was applied to the autoclave for a few minutes and then theautoclave was opened.

The product was a stiff, swollen polymer mass which was scraped out, cutup, and fed in portions to 500 mL methanol in a blender. The polymer wasthen boiled with a mixture of methanol (200 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid(10 mL), and finally dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 16.8 g(18,700 catalyst turnovers) of polyethylene. The polymer was somewhatheterogeneous with respect to crystallinity, as can be seen from thedifferential scanning calorimetry data below; amorphous and crystallinepieces of polymer could be picked out of the product. Crystallinepolyethylene was found in the interior of the polymer mass; amorphouspolyethylene was on the outside. The crystalline polyethylene was formedinitially when the ethylene had good access to the catalyst; as thepolymer formed limited mass transfer, the catalyst becameethylene-starved and began to make amorphous polymer. Differentialscanning calorimetry: (crystalline piece of polymer):.mp: 130° C. (150J/g); (amorphous piece of polymer): −48° C. (Tg); mp: 42° C. (3 J/g),96° C. (11 J/g). Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene, 135°C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=163,000; M_(w)=534,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=3.27. This example demonstrates the effect of ethylene masstransfer on the polymerization and shows that the same catalyst can makeboth amorphous and crystalline polyethylene. The bulk of the polymer wascrystalline: a film pressed at 200° C. was tough and stiff.

Example 83

A 29-mg (0.047 mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)DABMe₂]NiBr₂ was placed inParr® 600-mL stirred autoclave under nitrogen. The autoclave was sealedand 100 mL of dry, deaerated toluene and 0.85 mL of 3Mpoly(methylalumoxane) were injected into the autoclave through the headport. The mixture was stirred under nitrogen at 23° C. for 30 min. Theautoclave body was immersed in a flowing water bath and the autoclavewas pressurized with ethylene to 620 kPa with stirring. The internaltemperature peaked at 38° C. within 2 min. The autoclave was stirred at620 kPa (continuous ethylene feed) for 5 min as the temperature droppedto 32° C. The ethylene was then vented, the regulator was readjusted,and the autoclave was pressurized to 34.5 kPa (gauge) and stirred for 20min (continuous ethylene feed) as the internal temperature dropped to22° C. In the middle of this 20 min period, the ethylene feed wastemporarily shut off for 1 min, during which time the autoclave pressuredropped from 34.5 kPa (gauge) to 13.8 kPa; the pressure was thenrestored to 34.5 kPa. After stirring 20 min at 34.5 kPa, the autoclavewas once again pressurized to 620 kPa for 5 min; the internaltemperature rose from 22° C. to 34° C. The ethylene feed was shut offfor about 30 sec before venting; the autoclave pressure dropped to about586 kPa.

The ethylene was vented; the product was a dark, thick liquid. Methanol(200 mL) was added to the autoclave and the mixture was stirred for 2hr. The polymer, swollen with toluene, had balled up on the stirrer, andthe walls and bottom of the autoclave were coated with white, fibrousrubbery polymer. The polymer was scraped out, cut up, and blended withmethanol in a blender and then stirred with fresh boiling methanol for 1hr. The white rubber was dried under high vacuum for 3 days to yield 9.6g (7270 catalyst turnovers) of rubbery polyethylene. ¹H NMR analysis(CDCl₃): 95 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.

Differential scanning calorimetry: −51° C. (Tg); mp: 39.5° C. (4 J/g);mp: 76.4° C. (7 J/g). Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene,135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=223,000; M_(w)=487,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=2.19.

The polyethylene of Example 83 could be cast from hot chlorobenzene orpressed at 200° C. to give a strong, stretchy, hazy, transparent filmwith good recovery. It was not easily chloroform-soluble. This exampledemonstrates the use of the catalyst's ability (see Example 82) to makeboth amorphous and crystalline polymer, and to make both types ofpolymer within the same polymer chain due to the catalyst's lowpropensity to chain transfer. With crystalline blocks (due to higherethylene pressure) on both ends and an amorphous region (due tolower-pressure, mass transfer-limited polymerization) in the center ofeach chain, this polymer is a thermoplastic elastomer.

Example 84

A Schlenk flask containing 147 mg (0.100 mmol) of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)DABMe₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF⁻ was cooled to −78° C., evacuated,and placed under an ethylene atmosphere. Methylene chloride (100 ml) wasadded to the flask and the solution was then allowed to warm to roomtemperature and stirred. The reaction vessel was warm during the firstseveral hours of mixing and the solution became viscous. After beingstirred for 17.4 h, the reaction mixture was added to ˜600 mL of MeOH inorder to precipitate the polymer. Next, the MeOH was decanted off of thesticky polymer, which was then dissolved in ˜600 mL of petroleum ether.After being filtered through plugs of neutral alumina and silica gel,the solution appeared clear and almost colorless. The solvent was thenremoved and the viscous oil (45.31 g) was dried in vacuo for severaldays: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 1.24 (CH₂, CH), 0.82 (m, CH₃);Branching: ˜128 CH₃ per 1000 CH₂; DSC: T_(g)=−67.7° C. GPC: Mn=29,000;Mw=112,000.

Example 85

Following the procedure of Example 84{[(2,6-i-PrPh)DABMe₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF⁻ (164 mg, 0.112 mmol) catalyzed thepolymerization of ethylene for 24 h in 50 mL of CH₂Cl₂ to give 30.16 gof polymer as a viscous oil. ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ 1.41 (CH_(2,) CH), 0.94(CH₃); Branching: ˜115 CH₃ per 1000 CH_(2;) GPC Analysis (THF, PMMAstandards, RI Detector): M_(w)=262,000; M_(n)=121,000; PDI=2.2; DSC:T_(g)=−66.8° C.

Example 86

The procedure of Example 84 was followed using 144 mg (0.100 mmol) of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)DABH₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF⁻ in 50 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and a 24 hreaction time. Polymer (9.68 g) was obtained as a free-flowing oil. ¹HNMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 5.36 (m, RHC═CHR′), 5.08 (br s, RR′C═CHR″), 4.67(br s, H₂C═CRR′), 1.98 (m, allylic H), 1.26 (CH₂, CH), 0.83 (m, CH₃);Branching: ˜149 CH₃ per 1000 CH₂; DSC: T_(g)=−84.6° C.

Example 87

A 30-mg (0.042-mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)DABAn]NiBr₂ was placed inParr® 600-mL stirred autoclave under nitrogen. The autoclave was sealedand 150 mL of dry toluene and 0.6 mL of 3M polymethylalumoxane wereinjected into the autoclave through the head port. The autoclave bodywas immersed in a flowing water bath and the mixture was stirred undernitrogen at 20° C. for 1 hr. The autoclave was then pressurized withethylene to 1.31 MPa with stirring for 5 min as the internal temperaturepeaked at 30° C. The ethylene was then vented to 41.4 kPa (gauge) andthe mixture was stirred and fed ethylene at 41.4 kPa for 1.5 hr as theinternal temperature dropped to 19° C. At the end of this time, theautoclave was again pressurized to 1.34 MPa and stirred for 7 min as theinternal temperature rose to 35° C.

The ethylene was vented and the autoclave was briefly evacuated; theproduct was a stiff, solvent-swollen gel. The polymer was cut up,blended with 500 mL methanol in a blender, and then stirred overnightwith 500 mL methanol containing 10 mL of 6N HCl. The stirred suspensionin methanol/HCl was then boiled for 4 hr, filtered, and dried under highvacuum overnight to yield 26.1 g (22,300 catalyst turnovers) ofpolyethylene. Differential scanning calorimetry: −490°0 C. (Tg); mp:116° C. (42 J/g). The melting transition was very broad and appeared tobegin around room temperature. Although the melting point temperature ishigher in this Example than in Example 76, the area under the meltingendotherm is less in this example, implying that the polymer of thisExample is less crystalline overall, but the crystallites that do existare more ordered. This indicates that the desired block structure wasobtained. Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.,polystyrene reference, results calculated as polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=123,000; M_(w)=601,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=4.87. The polyethylene of this example could be pressed at200° C. to give a strong, tough, stretchy, hazy film with partialelastic recovery. When the stretched film was plunged into boilingwater, it completely relaxed to its original dimensions.

Example 88

A 6.7-mg (0.011-mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)DABMe₂]NiBr₂ wasmagnetically-stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry, deaerated toluene as 0.3 mL of 3M poly(methylalumoxane) wasinjected via syringe. The mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 40 min togive a deep blue-green solution of catalyst. Dry, deaerated cyclopentene(10 mL) was injected and the mixture was stirred for 5 min. The flaskwas then pressurized with ethylene at 20.7 MPa and stirred for 22 hr.The resulting viscous solution was poured into a stirred mixture of 200mL methanol and 10 mL 6N HCl. The methanol was decanted off and replacedwith fresh methanol, and the polymer was stirred in boiling methanol for3 hr. The tough, stretchy rubber was pressed between paper towels anddried under vacuum to yield 1.0 g of poly[ethylene/cyclopentene]. By ¹HNMR analysis(CDCl₃): 100 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.Comparison of the peaks attributable to cyclopentene (0.65 ppm and 1.75ppm) with the standard polyethylene peaks (0.9 ppm and 1.3 ppm)indicates about a 10 mol % cyclopentene incorporation. This polymeryield and composition represent about 2900 catalyst turnovers.Differential scanning calorimetry: −44° C. (Tg). Gel permeationchromatography (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference,results calculated as polyethylene using universal calibration theory):M_(n)=122,000; M_(w)=241,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.97.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR data TCB, 120C, 0.05M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 50.9168 5.9666346.3865 3.27366 1 cme and/or 1,3 ccmcc 40.7527 40.5963 2 eme 40.56741.9953 1,3 eme 40.3336 45.8477 1,3 eme 37.1985 60.1003 36.6998 41.204136.0579 11.2879 35.607 25.169 34.4771 19.0834 34.0845 22.8886 33.124320.1138 32.8962 27.6778 31.8406 75.2391 30.0263 76.2755 29.6921 170.4128.9494 18.8754 28.647 25.8032 27.4588 22.2397 27.1086 48.0806 24.32363.31441 22.5783 4.64411 2B₅+, 2 EOC 19.6712 43.1867 1B₁ 17.5546 1.41279end group 14.3399 1.74854 1B₃ 13.8518 5.88699 1B₄+, 1EOC 10.9182 2.177852B₁

Example 89

A 7.5-mg (0.013-mmol) sample of [(2,6-t-BuPh)DABMe₂]NiBr₂ wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 40 mLof dry, deaerated toluene as 0.5 mL of 3M poly(methylalumoxane) wasinjected via syringe. The mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 1 hr to givea deep blue-green solution of catalyst. The flask was pressurized withethylene at 20.7 kPa (gauge) and stirred for 20 hr. The solution, whichhad become a reddish-brown suspension, was poured into a stirred mixtureof 200 mL methanol and 10 mL 6N HCl and was stirred at reflux for 1 hr.The methanol was decanted off and replaced with fresh methanol, and thewhite polymer was stirred in boiling methanol for 1 hr. The stiff,stretchy rubber was pressed between paper towels and then dried undervacuum to yield 1.25 g (3380 catalyst turnovers) of polyethylene. ¹H-1NMR analysis (C₆D₆): 63 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.Differential scanning calorimetry: −34° C. (Tg); mp: 44° C. (31 J/g);mp: 101° C. (23 J/g).

Example 90

A 5.5 mg (0.0066 mmol) sample of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻was allowed to stand at room temperature in air for 24 hr. A 100-mLthree-neck flask with a magnetic stirrer and a gas inlet dip tube wascharged with 40 mL of reagent methylene chloride and ethylene gas wasbubbled through with stirring to saturate the solvent with ethylene. Thesample of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ was then rinsed intothe flask with 5 mL of methylene chloride and ethylene was bubbledthrough with stirring for 5 hr. The clear yellow solution was rotaryevaporated to yield 0.20 g (1080 catalyst turnovers) of a thick yellowliquid polyethylene.

Example 91

A 600-mL stirred Parr® autoclave was sealed and flushed with nitrogen,and 100 mL of dry, deaerated toluene was introduced into the autoclavevia gas tight syringe through a port on the autoclave head. Theautoclave was purged with propylene gas to saturate the solvent withpropylene. Then 45 mg (0.054 mmol) of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ was introduced into theautoclave in the following manner: a 2.5-mL gas tight syringe with asyringe valve was loaded with 45 mg of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ under nitrogen in a glove box; then 1-2 mL of dry,deaerated methylene chloride was drawn up into the syringe and thecontents were quickly injected into the autoclave through a head port.This method avoids having the catalyst in solution with no stabilizingligands.

The autoclave was pressurized with propylene to 414 MPa and stirred for2.5 hr, starting with continuous propylene feed. The autoclave wascooled in a running tap water bath at 22° C. The internal temperaturequickly rose to 30° C. upon initial propylene addition but soon droppedback to 22° C. After 0.5 hr, the propylene feed was shut off andstirring was continued. Over 2 hr, the pressure dropped from 41.4 MPa to38.6 MPa. The propylene was then vented. The product was a thin,honey-colored solution. Rotary evaporation yielded 2.3 g (1010 catalystturnovers) of very thick, dark-brown liquid polypropylene which wasalmost elastomeric when cool. Gel permeation chromatography(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aspolypropylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=8,300;M_(w)=15,300; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.84. ¹³C NMR analysis; branching per 1000CH₂:total Methyls (545), Propyl (1.3), ≧Butyl and end of chain (9.2);chemical shifts. The polymer exhibited a glass transition temperature of−44° C. by differential scanning calorimetry.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR data CDCl₃, RT, 0.05M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 46.4978 13.2699Methylenes 45.8683 11.9947 Methylenes 45.3639 10.959 Methylenes 45.178311.3339 Methylenes 44.5568 8.41708 Methylenes 44.4398 7.69019 Methylenes44.3026 6.29108 Methylenes 44.1372 6.73541 Methylenes 43.5036 5.49837Methylenes 42.4262 5.03113 Methylenes 41.6918 3.72552 Methylenes 39.15374.23147 Methines and Methylenes 38.7179 25.2596 Methines and Methylenes37.8664 10.0979 Methines and Methylenes 37.6727 14.3755 Methines andMethylenes 37.0755 17.623 Methines and Methylenes 36.781 42.0719Methines and Methylenes 36.559 10.0773 Methines and Methylenes 34.54955.34388 Methines and Methylenes 34.3195 7.48969 Methines and Methylenes33.5488 12.6148 Methines and Methylenes 33.351 20.5271 Methines andMethylenes 32.7982 4.10612 Methines and Methylenes 32.4108 22.781Methines and Methylenes 31.8701 5.90488 Methines and Methylenes 31.595710.6988 Methines and Methylenes 29.8364 44.4935 Methines and Methylenes29.7072 103.844 Methines and Methylenes 29.3925 152.645 Methines andMethylenes 29.0293 6.71341 Methines and Methylenes 27.6089 38.7993Methines and Methylenes 27.4193 10.3543 Methines and Methylenes 27.076366.8261 Methines and Methylenes 26.9552 92.859 Methines and Methylenes26.7615 55.7233 Methines and Methylenes 26.3661 20.1674 Methines andMethylenes 24.8529 16.9056 Methine Carbon of XXVIII 23.1217 12.5439Methine carbons of XXVIII and XXIX, 2B₄+, EOC 22.6779 13.0147 Methinecarbons of XXVIII and XXIX, 2B₄+, EOC 22.5245 9.16236 Methine carbons ofXXVIII and XXIX, 2B₄+, EOC 22.3389 77.3342 Methine carbons of XXVIII andXXIX, 2B₄+, EOC 21.9757 9.85242 Methine carbons of XXVIII and XXIX,2B₄+, EOC 21.1405 10.0445 Methyls 20.4182 8.49663 Methyls 19.974325.8085 Methyls 19.825 31.4787 Methyls 19.3811 44.9986 Methyls 19.199531.3058 Methyls 13.8569 6.37761 Methyls 13.8004 7.67242 Methyls 137.45222.0529 Methyls 128.675 44.6993 Methyls 127.88 43.8939 Methyls 124.95922.4025 Methyls 122.989 3.3312 Methyls

Example 92

A 600-mL stirred Parr® autoclave was sealed, flushed with nitrogen, andheated to 60° C. in a water bath. Fifty mL (48 g; 0.56 mol) of dry,deaerated methyl acrylate was introduced into the autoclave via gastight syringe through a port on the autoclave head and ethylene gas waspassed through the autoclave at a low rate to saturate the solvent withethylene before catalyst addition. Then 60 mg (0.07 mmol) of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ was introduced into theautoclave in the following manner: a 2.5-mL gas tight syringe with asyringe valve was loaded with 60 mg of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ under nitrogen in a glove box;then 1 mL of dry, deaerated methylene chloride was drawn up into thesyringe and the contents were quickly injected into the autoclavethrough a head port. This method avoids having the catalyst in solutionwith no stabilizing ligands.

The autoclave was pressurized with ethylene to 689 kPa and continuouslyfed ethylene with stirring for 4.5 hr; the internal temperature was verysteady at 60° C. The ethylene was vented and the product, a clear yellowsolution, was rinsed out of the autoclave with chloroform, rotaryevaporated, and held under high vacuum overnight to yield 1.56 g of thinlight-brown liquid ethylene/methyl acrylate copolymer. The infraredspectrum of the product exhibited a strong ester carbonyl stretch at1740 cm⁻¹. ¹H-1 NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 61 methyl carbons per 1000methylene carbons. Comparison of the integrals of the ester methoxy(3.67 ppm) and ester methylene (CH ₂COOMe; 2.30 ppm) peaks with theintegrals of the carbon chain methyls (0.8-0.9 ppm) and methylenes(1.2-1.3 ppm) indicated a methyl acrylate content of 16.6 mol % (37.9 wt%). This product yield and composition represent 480 ethylene turnoversand 96 methyl acrylate turnovers. ¹³C NMR analysis; branching per 1000CH₂: total methyls (48.3), Methyl (20.8), Ethyl (10.5), Propyl (1),Butyl (8), ≧Amyl and End of Chain (18.1), methyl acrylate (94.4);ester-bearing —CH(CH₂)_(n)CO₂CH₃ branches as a % of total ester: n≧5(35.9), n=4 (14.3), n=1,2,3 (29.5), n=0 (20.3); chemical shifts werereferenced to the solvent: the high field carbon of1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (127.8 ppm). Gel permeation chromatography(tetrahydrofuran, 30° C., polymethylmethacrylate reference, resultscalculated as polymethylmethacrylate using universal calibrationtheory): M_(n)=3,370; M_(w)=5,450; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.62.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR data TCB 120C, 0.05M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 53.7443 2.19635CH₂Cl₂ solvent impurity 50.9115 8.84408 50.641 132.93 45.5165 7.55996MEB₀ 43.6 ppm:2 adjacent MEB₀ 39.6917 2.71676 39.2886 7.91933 36.163913.843 37.7926 26.6353 37.1666 20.6759 36.6733 8.65855 34.6256 17.689934.4612 16.7388 34.1429 85.624 33.9095 124.997 1EB₄+ 33.676 40.0271Contributions from EB 33.2888 11.4719 Contributions from EB 32.864414.4963 Contributions from EB 32.3498 17.5883 Contributions from EB32.0475 9.83096 Contributions from EB 31.8459 30.9676 Contributions fromEB 31.7079 12.7737 Contributions from EB 31.5912 13.8792 Contributionsfrom EB 31.0873 19.6266 Contributions from EB 30.6258 10.5512 30.132458.6101 29.6497 169.398 29.4322 48.5318 29.1934 95.4948 27.8619 8.7018127.4269 32.9529 26.9283 78.0563 26.5145 27.0608 26.3554 14.0683 25.458821.9081 2EB₄ (tent) 25.3315 9.04646 2EB₄ (tent) 24.9761 64.2333 2EB₅+24.2069 10.771 BBB (beta-beta-B) 23.0451 9.50073 2B₄ 22.9337 6.90528 2B₄22.5518 30.0427 2B₅+, EOC 19.9842 1.87415 2B₃ 19.6288 17.125 1B₁ 19.16736.0427 1B₁ 16.7695 2.23642 14.3 — 1B₃ 13.7882 34.0749 1B₄+, EOC 11.07744.50599 1B₂ 10.8705 10.8817 1B₂ 189.989 1.04646 EB₀ Carbonyl 175.6873.33867 EB₀ Carbonyl 175.406 14.4124 EB₀ Carbonyl 175.22 5.43832 EB₀Carbonyl 175.061 3.53125 EB₀ Carbonyl 172.859 11.2356 EB₁+ Carbonyl172.605 102.342 EB₁+ Carbonyl 172.09 7.83303 EB₁+ Carbonyl 170.944 3.294EB₁+ Carbonyl

Example 93

A 45-mg (0.048-mmol) sample of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻was placed in a 600-mL Parr® stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To thiswas added 50 mL of dry, deaerated methylene chloride, and the autoclavewas pressurized to 414 kPa with ethylene. Ethylene was continuously fedat 414 kPa with stirring at 23-25° C. for 3 hr; then the feed was shutoff and the reaction was stirred for 12 hr more. At the end of thistime, the autoclave was under 89.6 kPa (absolute). The autoclave wasrepressurized to 345 kPa with ethylene and stirred for 2 hr more as thepressure dropped to 255 kPa, showing that the catalyst was still active;the ethylene was then vented. The brown solution in the autoclave wasrotary evaporated, taken up in chloroform, filtered through alumina toremove catalyst, and rotary evaporated and then held under high vacuumto yield 7.35 g of thick, yellow liquid polyethylene. ¹H NMR analysis(CDCl₃): 131 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. Gel permeationchromatography (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference,results calculated as polyethylene using universal calibration theory):M_(n)=10,300; M_(w)=18,100; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.76.

Example 94

A 79-mg (0.085-mmol) sample of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF6⁻ wasplaced in a 600-mL Parr® stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this wasadded 50 mL of dry, deaerated methyl acrylate, and the autoclave waspressurized to 689 kPa with ethylene. The autoclave was warmed to 50° C.and the reaction was stirred at 689 kPa for 70 hr; the ethylene was thenvented. The clear yellow solution in the autoclave was filtered throughalumina to remove catalyst, rotary evaporated, and held under highvacuum to yield 0.27 g of liquid ethylene/methyl acrylate copolymer. Theinfrared spectrum of the product exhibited a strong ester carbonylstretch at 1740 cm⁻¹. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 70 methyl carbons per1000 methylene carbons; 13.5 mol % (32 wt %) methyl acrylate. This yieldand composition represent 12 methyl acrylate turnovers and 75 ethyleneturnovers.

Example 95

A 67-mg (0.089-mmol) of {[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ wasplaced in a 200-mL glass centrifuge bottle with a magnetic stir barunder nitrogen. To this was added 40 mL of dry, deaerated methylenechloride. The bottle was immediately pressurized to 207 kPa withethylene. Ethylene was continuously fed at 207 kPa with stirring at23-25° C. for 4 hr. After 4 hr, the ethylene feed was shut off and thereaction was stirred for 12 hr more. At the end of this time, the bottlewas under zero pressure (gauge). The brown solution was rotaryevaporated and held under high vacuum to yield 5.15 g of thick, brownliquid polyethylene. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 127 methyl carbons per1000 methylene carbons. Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene,135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=20,200; M_(w)=32,100;M_(w)/M_(n)=1.59.

Example 96

A 56-mg (0.066-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃)}SbF₆ ⁻ was placed in a 600-mLParr® stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this was added 30 mL of dry,deaerated perfluoro(propyltetrahydrofuran). The autoclave was stirredand pressurized to 5.9 MPa with ethylene. The internal temperaturepeaked at 29° C.; a cool water bath was placed around the autoclavebody. The reaction was stirred for 16 hr at 23° C. and 5.9 MPa and theethylene was then vented. The autoclave contained a light yellowgranular rubber; this was scraped out of the autoclave and held underhigh vacuum to yield 29.0 g (15,700 catalyst turnovers) of spongy,non-tacky, rubbery polyethylene which had good elastic recovery and wasvery strong; it was soluble in chloroform or chlorobenzene.

The polyethylene was amorphous at room temperature: it exhibited a glasstransition temperature of −57° C. and a melting endotherm of −16° C. (35J/g) by differential scanning calorimetry. On cooling, there was acrystallization exotherm with a maximum at 1° C. (35 J/g). Uponremelting and recooling the melting endotherm and crystallizationexotherm persisted, as did the glass transition. Dynamic mechanicalanalysis at 1 Hz showed a tan δ peak at −51° C. and a peak in the lossmodulus E″ at −65° C.; dielectric analysis at 1000 Hz showed a tan dpeak at −35° C. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 86 methyl carbons per 1000methylene carbons. ¹³C NMR analysis: branching per 1000 CH₂: totalMethyls (89.3), Methyl (37.2), Ethyl (14), Propyl (6.4), Butyl (6.9),≧Am and End Of Chain (23.8); chemical shifts were referenced to thesolvent: the high field carbon of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (127.8 ppm).Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference, results calculated as polyethylene using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=137,000; M_(w)=289,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.10.Intrinsic viscosity (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.): 2.565 dL/g. Absolutemolecular weight averages corrected for branching: M_(n)=196,000;M_(w)=425,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.17. Density (determined at room temperaturewith a helium gas displacement pycnometer): 0.8546±0.0007 g/cc.

Example 97

A 49-mg (0.058 mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}SbF6⁻ was placed in a 600-mL Parr®stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this was added 30 mL of dry,deaerated hexane. The autoclave was stirred and pressurized to 5.9 MPawith ethylene. The internal temperature peaked briefly at 34° C.; a coolwater bath was placed around the autoclave body. The reaction wasstirred for 16 hr at 23° C. At 14 hr, the ethylene feed was shut off;the autoclave pressure. dropped to 5.8 MPa over 2 hr; the ethylene wasthen vented. The autoclave contained a light yellow, gooey rubberswollen with hexane, which was scraped out of the autoclave and heldunder high vacuum to yield 28.2 g (17,200 catalyst turnovers) of spongy,non-tacky, rubbery polyethylene which had good elastic recovery andwhich was very strong.

The polyethylene was amorphous at room temperature: it exhibited a glasstransition temperature of −61° C. and a melting endotherm of −12° C. (27J/g) by differential scanning calorimetry. Dynamic mechanical analysisat 1 Hz showed a tan d peak at −52° C. and a peak in the loss modulus E″at −70° C.; dielectric analysis at 1000 Hz showed a tan d peak at −37°C. 1H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 93 methyl carbons per 1000 methylenecarbons. ¹³C NMR analysis: branching per 1000 CH₂: total Methyls (95.4),Methyl (33.3), Ethyl (17.2), Propyl (5.2), Butyl (10.8), Amyl (3.7),≧Hex and End Of Chain (27.4); chemical shifts were referenced to thesolvent: the high field carbon of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (127.8 ppm).Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference, results calculated as polyethylene using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=149,000; M_(w)=347,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.33.Density (determined at room temperature with a helium gas displacementpycnometer): 0.8544±0.0007 g/cc.

Example 98

Approximately 10-mesh silica granules were dried at 200° C. and wereimpregnated with a methylene chloride solution of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ to give a 10 wt % loadingof the catalyst on silica.

A 0.53-g (0.063 mmol) sample of silica gel containing 10 wt %{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ was placed in a 600-mLParr® stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this was added 40 mL of dry,deaerated hexane. The autoclave was stirred and pressurized to 5.5 MPawith ethylene; the ethylene feed was then turned off. The internaltemperature peaked briefly at 31° C. The reaction was stirred for 14 hrat 23° C. as the pressure dropped to 5.3 MPa; the ethylene was thenvented. The autoclave contained a clear, yellow, gooey rubber swollenwith hexane. The product was dissolved in 200 mL chloroform, filteredthrough glass wool, rotary evaporated, and held under high vacuum toyield 7.95 g (4500 catalyst turnovers) of gummy, rubbery polyethylene.¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 96 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference, results calculated as polyethylene using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=6,900; M_(w)=118,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=17.08.

Example 99

A 108-mg (0.073 mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}BAF⁻ was placed in a 600-mL Parr®stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this was added via syringe 75 mL ofdeaerated reagent grade methyl acrylate containing 100 ppm hydroquinonemonomethyl ether and 100 ppm of phenothiazine. The autoclave waspressurized to 5.5 MPa with ethylene and was stirred at 35° C. asethylene was continuously fed for 90 hr; the ethylene was then vented.The product consisted of a swollen clear foam wrapped around theimpeller; 40 mL of unreacted methyl acrylate was poured off the polymer.The polymer was stripped off the impeller and was held under high vacuumto yield 38.2 g of clear, grayish, somewhat-tacky rubber. ¹H NMRanalysis (CDCl₃): 99 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.Comparison of the integrals of the ester methoxy (3.67 ppm) and estermethylene (CH ₂COOMe; 2.30 ppm) peaks with the integrals of the carbonchain methyls (0.8-0.9 ppm) and methylenes (1.2-1.3 ppm) indicated amethyl acrylate content of 0.9 mol % (2.6 wt %). This product yield andcomposition represent 18,400 ethylene turnovers and 158 methyl acrylateturnovers. ¹³C NMR analysis: branching per 1000 CH₂: total Methyls(105.7), Methyl (36.3), Ethyl (22), Propyl (4.9), Butyl (10.6), Amyl(4), ≧Hex and End of Chain (27.8), methyl acrylate (3.4); ester-bearing—CH(CH2)_(n)CO2CH3 branches as a % of total ester: n≧5 (40.6), n=1,2,3(2.7), n=0 (56.7); chemical shifts were referenced to the solvent: thehigh field carbon of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (127.8 ppm). Gel permeationchromatography (tetrahydrofuran, 30° C., polymethylmethacrylatereference, results calculated as polymethylmethacrylate using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=151,000; M_(w)=272,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.81.

Example 100

A 62-mg (0.074-mmol) sample of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻was placed in a 600-mL Parr® stirred autoclave under nitrogen with 200mL of deaerated aqueous 10% (v/v) n-butanol. The autoclave waspressurized to 2.8 MPa with ethylene and was stirred for 16 hr. Theethylene was vented and the polymer suspension was filtered. The productconsisted of a fine gray powdery polymer along with some largerparticles of sticky black polymer; the polymer was washed with acetoneand dried to yield 0.60 g (290 catalyst turnovers) of polyethylene. Thegray polyethylene powder was insoluble in chloroform at RT; it wassoluble in hot tetrachloroethane, but formed a gel on cooling to RT. ¹HNMR analysis (tetrachloroethane-d₂; 100° C.): 43 methyl carbons per 1000methylene carbons. Differential scanning calorimetry exhibited a meltingpoint at 89° C.(78 J/g), with a shoulder at 70° C.; there was noapparent glass transition.

Example 101

A 78-mg (0.053-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}BAF⁻ was placed in a 600-mL Parr®stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this was added 40 mL of dry,deaerated t-butyl acrylate containing 100 ppm hydroquinone monomethylether. The autoclave was pressurized with ethylene to 2.8 MPa and wasstirred and heated at 35° C. as ethylene was continuously fed at 2.8 MPafor 24 hr; the ethylene was then vented. The product consisted of ayellow, gooey polymer which was dried under high vacuum to yield 6.1 gof clear, yellow, rubbery ethylene/t-butyl acrylate copolymer which wasquite tacky. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 102 methyl carbons per 1000methylene carbons. Comparison of the integral of the ester t-butoxy(1.44 ppm) peak with the integrals of the carbon chain methyls (0.8-0.9ppm) and methylenes (1.2-1.3 ppm) indicated a t-butyl acrylate contentof 0.7 mol % (3.3 wt %). This yield and composition represent 3960ethylene turnovers and 30 t-butyl acrylate turnovers. Gel permeationchromatography (tetrahydrofuran, 30° C., polymethylmethacrylatereference, results calculated as polymethylmethacrylate using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=112,000; M_(w)=179,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.60.

Example 102

A 19-mg (0.022-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}SbF6⁻ was placed in a 600-mL Parr®stirred autoclave under nitrogen. The autoclave was pressurized to 5.2MPa with ethylene and was stirred for 2 hr; the ethylene feed was thenshut off. The autoclave was stirred for 16 hr more as the ethylenepressure dropped to 5.0 MPa; the ethylene was then vented. The autoclavecontained a light yellow, granular sponge rubber growing all over thewalls and head of the autoclave; this was scraped out to yield 13.4 g(21,800 catalyst turnovers) of spongy, non-tacky, rubbery polyethylenewhich was very strong and elastic. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 90 methylcarbons per 1000 methylene carbons.

Differential scanning calorimetry exhibited a glass transition at −50°C. Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference, results calculated as polyethylene using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=175,000; M_(w)=476,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.72.

Example 103

A 70-mg (0.047-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}BAF⁻ was placed in a 600-mL Parr®stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this was added 70 mL of deaeratedreagent grade methyl acrylate containing 100 ppm each hydroquinonemonomethyl ether and phenothiazine and 0.7 mL (1 wt %; 4.7 mol %)deaerated, deionized water. The autoclave was stirred at 35° C. asethylene was continuously fed at 4.8 MPa for 16 hr; the ethylene wasthen vented. The product consisted of a clear solution. Rotaryevaporation yielded 1.46 g of ethylene/methyl acrylate copolymer as aclear oil. The infrared spectrum of the product exhibited a strong estercarbonyl stretch at 1740 cm⁻¹. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 118 methylcarbons per 1000 methylene carbons. Comparison of the integrals of theester methoxy (3.67 ppm) and ester methylene (CH ₂COOMe; 2.30 ppm) peakswith the integrals of the carbon chain methyls (0.8-0.9 ppm) andmethylenes (1.2-1.3 ppm) indicated a methyl acrylate content of 0.7 mol% (2.2 wt %). This product yield and composition represent 1090 ethyleneturnovers and 8 methyl acrylate turnovers. Gel permeation chromatography(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aspolyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=362; M_(w)=908;M_(w)/M_(n)=2.51.

Example 104

A 53-mg (0.036-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}BAF⁻ was placed in a 600-mL Parr®stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this was added 100 mL of dry,deaerated methylene chloride. The autoclave was immersed in a cool waterbath and stirred as it was pressurized to 4.8 MPa with ethylene.Ethylene was continuously fed with stirring at 4.8 MPa and 23° C. for 23hr; the ethylene then was vented. The product consisted of a clearrubber, slightly swollen with methylene chloride. The polymer was driedunder high vacuum at room temperature to yield 34.5 g (34,100 catalystturnovers) of clear rubbery polyethylene. ¹H NMR analysis. (CDCl₃): 110methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. Gel permeation chromatography(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aspolyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=243,000;M_(w)=676,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.78.

Example 104

A 83-mg (0.056-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}BAF⁻ was placed in a 600-mL Parr®stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this was added 70 mL of dry,deaerated, ethanol-free chloroform. The autoclave was immersed in a coolwater bath and stirred as it was pressurized to 4.7 MPa with ethylene.Ethylene was continuously fed with stirring at 4.7 MPa and 23° C. for 21hr; the ethylene then was vented. The product consisted of a pink,rubbery, foamed polyethylene, slightly swollen with chloroform. Thepolymer was dried under vacuum at 40° C. to yield 70.2 g (44,400catalyst turnovers) of pink, rubbery polyethylene which was slightlytacky. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 111 methyl carbons per. 1000 methylenecarbons. Gel permeation chromatography. (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.,polystyrene reference, results calculated as polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=213,000; M_(w)=728,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=3.41.

Example 105

A 44-mg (0.052-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ was magnetically stirredunder nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 20 mL of dry, deaeratedmethylene chloride. To this was added 5 mL (5.25 g; 73 mmol) of freshlydistilled acrylic acid (contains a few ppm of phenothiazine as a radicalpolymerization inhibitor) via syringe and the mixture was immediatelypressurized with ethylene at 5.52 kPa and stirred for 40 hr. The darkyellow solution was rotary evaporated and the residue was stirred with50 mL water for 15 min to extract any acrylic acid homopolymer. Thewater was drawn off with a pipette and rotary evaporated to yield 50 mgof dark residue. The polymer which had been water-extracted was heatedunder high vacuum to yield 1.30 g of ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer asa dark brown oil. The infrared spectrum showed strong COOH absorbancesat 3400-2500 and at 1705 cm⁻¹, as well as strong methylene absorbancesat 3000-2900 and 1470 cm⁻¹.

A 0.2-g sample of the ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer was treated withdiazomethane in ether to esterify the COOH groups and produce anethylene/methyl acrylate copolymer. The infrared spectrum of theesterified copolymer showed a strong ester carbonyl absorbance at 1750cm⁻¹; the COOH absorbances were gone. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 87 methylcarbons per 1000 methylene carbons. Comparison of the integrals of theester methoxy (3.67 ppm) and ester methylene (CH ₂COOMe; 2.30 ppm) peakswith the integrals of the carbon chain methyls (0.8-0.9 ppm) andmethylenes (1.2-1.3 ppm) indicated a methyl acrylate content of 5.3 mol% (14.7 wt % methyl acrylate =>12.3 wt % acrylic acid in the originalcopolymer). This product yield and composition represent 780 ethyleneturnovers and 43 acrylic acid turnovers. Gel permeation chromatography(tetrahydrofuran, 30° C., polymethylmethacrylate reference, resultscalculated as polymethylmethacrylate using universal calibrationtheory): M_(n)=25,000; M_(w)=42,800; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.71.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR Data CDCl₃, 0.05M CrAcAc, 3OC Freq ppm Intensity 51.0145 24.914145.434 1.11477 MEB₀ 38.8925 2.29147 38.5156 6.51271 37.3899 10.748437.0713 17.3903 36.7634 17.6341 36.4182 3.57537 36.2961 6.0822 34.4592.158 34.0289 9.49713 33.7369 34.4456 33.3705 49.2646 32.8926 18.291832.3935 10.5014 32.0271 3.5697 3B₅ 31.5705 30.6837 3B₆+, 3EOC 31.17231.54526 29.813 46.4503 29.3511 117.987 29.1387 21.034 28.9953 30.60328.613 7.18386 27.2007 8.02265 26.744 23.8731 26.3777 46.8498 26.0065.42389 25.5547 8.13592 25.0609 5.46013 2 EB₄(tentative) 24.9175 2.303552 EB₄(tentative) 24.6042 15.7434 2 EB₅+ 23.7547 2.78914 23.3777 5.6372722.7936 8.07071 2B₄ 22.6768 3.78032 2B₄ 22.3211 33.1603 2B₅+, 2EOC19.3477 15.4369 1B₁ 18.8645 5.97477 1B₁ 14.1814 1.99297 1B₃ 13.740738.5361 1B₄+, 1EOC 11.0274 6.19758 1B₂ 10.5124 10.4707 1B₂ 176.5679.61122 EB₀ carbonyl 174.05 9.03673 EB₁+ carbonyl 173.779 85.021 EB₁+carbonyl

Example 106

A 25-mg (0.029-mmol) sample of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ was magnetically stirred under 55.2 kPa of ethylene in a50-mL Schlenk flask with 20 mL of dry methylene chloride and 5 mL (4.5g; 39 mmol) of methyl 4-pentenoate for 40 hr at room temperature. Theyellow solution was rotary evaporated to yield 3.41 g of ethylene/methyl4-pentenoate copolymer as a yellow oil. The infrared spectrum of thecopolymer showed a strong ester carbonyl absorbance at 1750 cm⁻¹. ¹H NMRanalysis (CDCl₃): 84 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.Comparison of the integrals of the ester methoxy (3.67 ppm) and estermethylene (CH ₂COOMe; 2.30 ppm) peaks with the integrals of the carbonchain methyls (0.8-0.9 ppm) and methylenes (1.2-1.3 ppm) indicated amethyl 4-pentenoate content of 6 mol % (20 wt %). This yield andcomposition represent about 3400 ethylene turnovers and 200 methyl4-pentenoate turnovers. ¹³C NMR quantitative analysis: branching per1000 CH₂: total Methyls (93.3), Methyl (37.7), Ethyl(18.7), Propyl (2),Butyl (8.6), ≧Am and end of chains (26.6), ≧Bu and end of chains (34.8);ester-bearing branches —CH(CH₂)_(n)CO₂CH₃ as a % of total ester: n≧5(38.9), n=4 (8.3), n=1,2,3 (46.8), n=0 (6); chemical shifts werereferenced to the solvent: chloroform-d₁ (77 ppm). Gel permeationchromatography (tetrahydrofuran, 30° C., polymethylmethacrylatereference, results calculated as polymethylmethacrylate using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=32,400; M_(w)=52,500; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.62.

Example 107

A 21-mg (0.025-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ was magnetically stirredunder nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 5 mL of dry methylenechloride and 5 mL (4.5 g; 39 mmol) of methyl 4-pentenoate for 74 hr. Theyellow solution was rotary evaporated to yield 0.09 g of a yellow oil,poly[methyl 4-pentenoate]. The infrared spectrum showed a strong estercarbonyl absorbance at 1750 cm⁻¹. The ¹H NMR,(CDCl₃) spectrum showedolefinic protons at 5.4-5:5 ppm; comparing the olefin integral with theintegral of the ester methoxy at 3.67 ppm indicates an average degree ofpolymerization of 4 to 5. This example demonstrates the ability of thiscatalyst to homopolymerize alpha olefins bearing polar functional groupsnot conjugated to the carbon-carbon double bond.

Example 108

A 53-mg (0.063-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ was placed in a 600-mLParr® stirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this was added 25 mL of dry,deaerated toluene and 25 mL (26 g; 0.36mol) of freshly distilled acrylicacid containing about 100 ppm phenothiazine. The autoclave waspressurized to 2.1 MPa with ethylene and was stirred for 68 hr at 23°C.; the ethylene was then vented. The autoclave contained a colorless,hazy solution. The solution was rotary evaporated and the concentratewas taken up in 50 mL of chloroform, filtered through diatomaceousearth, rotary evaporated, and then held under high vacuum to yield 2.23g of light brown, very viscous liquid ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer.The infrared spectrum showed strong COOH absorbances at 3400-2500 and at1705 cm ⁻¹, as well as strong methylene absorbances at 3000-2900 and1470 cm⁻¹.

A 0.3-g sample of the ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer was treated withdiazomethane in ether to esterify the COOH groups and produce anethylene/methyl acrylate copolymer. The infrared spectrum showed astrong ester carbonyl absorbance at 1750 cm⁻¹; the COOH absorbances weregone. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 96 methyl carbons per 1000 methylenecarbons. Comparison of the integrals of the ester methoxy (3.67 ppm) andester methylene (CH ₂COOMe; 2.30 ppm) peaks with the integrals of thecarbon chain methyls (0.8-0.9 ppm) and methylenes (1.2-1.3 ppm)indicated a methyl acrylate content of 1.8 mol % (5.4 wt % methylacrylate =>4.5 wt % acrylic acid in the original copolymer). Thisproduct yield and composition represent 1200 ethylene turnovers and 22acrylic acid turnovers. Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene,135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=5,330; M=15,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.82.

Example 109

A 600-mL stirred Parr® autoclave was sealed and flushed with nitrogen.Fifty mL (48 g; 0.56 mol) of dry, deaerated methyl acrylate wasintroduced into the autoclave via gas tight syringe through a port onthe autoclave head. Then 60 mg (0.07 mmol) of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}BAF⁻ was introduced into the autoclavein the following manner: a 2.5-mL gas tight syringe with a syringe valvewas loaded with 60 mg of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}BAF⁻ undernitrogen in a glove box; then 1 mL of dry, deaerated methylene chloridewas drawn up into the syringe and the contents were quickly injectedinto the autoclave through a head port. This method avoids having thecatalyst in solution with no stabilizing ligands.

The autoclave body was immersed in a running tap water bath; theinternal temperature was very steady at 22° C. The autoclave waspressurized with ethylene to 2.8 MPa and continuously fed ethylene withstirring for 4.5 hr. The ethylene was then vented and the product, amixture of methyl acrylate and yellow gooey polymer, was rinsed out ofthe autoclave with chloroform, rotary L evaporated, and held under highvacuum overnight to yield 4.2 g of thick, light-brown liquidethylene/methyl acrylate copolymer. The infrared spectrum of the productexhibited a strong ester carbonyl stretch at 1740 cm⁻¹. ¹H NMR analysis(CDCl₃): 82 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. Comparison of theintegrals of the ester methoxy (3.67 ppm) and ester methylene (CH₂COOMe; 2.30 ppm) peaks with the integrals of the carbon chain methyls(0.8-0.9 ppm) and methylenes (1.2-1.3 ppm) indicated a methyl acrylatecontent of 1.5 mol % (4.4 wt %). This product yield and compositionrepresent 2000 ethylene turnovers and 31 methyl acrylate turnovers. ¹³CNMR analysis: branching per 1000 CH₂: total Methyls (84.6), Methyl (28.7), Ethyl (15.5), Propyl (3.3), Butyl (8.2), ≧Hex and End Of Chain(23.9), methyl acrylate (13.9). Ester-bearing —CH(CH2)_(n)CO2CH3branches as a % of total ester: n≧5 (34.4), n=4 (6.2), n=1,2,3 (13), n=0(46.4). Mole %: ethylene (97.6), methyl acrylate (2.4); chemical shiftswere referenced to the solvent: the high field carbon of1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (127.8 ppm). Gel permeation chromatography(tetrahydrofuran, 30° C., polymethylmethacrylate reference, resultscalculated as polymethylmethacrylate using universal calibrationtheory): M_(n)=22,000; M_(w)=45,500; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.07.

A mixture of 1.45 g of this ethylene/methyl acrylate copolymer, 20 mLdioxane, 2 mL water, and 1 mL of 50% aqueous NaOH was magneticallystirred at reflux under nitrogen for 4.5 hr. The liquid was thendecanted away from the swollen polymer and the polymer was stirredseveral hours with three changes of boiling water. The polymer wasfiltered, washed with water and methanol, and dried under vacuum (80°C./nitrogen purge) to yield 1.2 g soft of ionomer rubber, insoluble inhot chloroform. The FTIR-ATR spectrum of a pressed film (pressed at 125°C./6.9 MPa) showed a strong ionomer peak at 1570 cm⁻¹ and virtually noester carbonyl at 1750 cm⁻¹. The pressed film was a soft, slightly tackyrubber with about a 50% elongation to break. This example demonstratesthe preparation of an ionomer from this ethylene/methyl acrylatepolymer.

Example 110

The complex [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (0.020 g, 0.036 mmol) wasweighed into a vial and dissolved in 6 ml CH₂C₂. NaBAF (0.032 g, 0.036mmol) was rinsed into the stirring mixture with 4 ml of CH₂Cl₂. Therewas an immediate color change from orange to yellow. The solution wasstirred under 6.2 MPa ethylene in a Fisher Porter tube with temperaturecontrol at 19° C. The internal temperature rose to 22° C. during thefirst 15 minutes. The temperature controller was raised to 30° C. After35 minutes, the reaction was consuming ethylene slowly. After a totalreaction time of about 20 h, there was no longer detectable ethyleneconsumption, but the liquid level in the tube was noticeably higher.Workup by addition to excess MeOH gave a viscous liquid precipitate. Theprecipitate was redissolved in CH₂Cl₂, filtered through a 0.5 micronPTFE filter and reprecipitated by addition to excess MeOH to give 7.208g dark brown viscous oil (7180 equivalents of ethylene per Pd). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) 0.8-1.0 (m, CH₃); 1.0-1.5 (m, CH and CH₂). Integration allowscalculation of branching: 118 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.GPC in THF vs. PMMA standard: M_(n)=12,700, M_(w)=28,800,M_(w)/M_(n)=2.26.

Example 111

The solid complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.080 g,0.096 mmol) was placed in a Schlenk flask which was evacuated andrefilled with ethylene twice. Under one atm of ethylene, black spotsformed in the center of the solid complex and grew outward as, ethylenewas polymerized in the solid state and the resulting exotherm destroyedthe complex. Solid continued to form on the solid catalyst that had notbeen destroyed by the exotherm, and the next day the flask containedconsiderable solid and the reaction was still slowly consuming ethylene.The ethylene was disconnected and 1.808 g of light gray elastic solidwas removed from the flask (644 equivalents ethylene per Pd). The ¹H NMRin CDCl₃ was similar to example 110 with 101 methyl carbons per 1000methylene carbons. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): first heat25 to 150° C., 15° C./min, no events; second heat −150 to 150° C.,T_(g)=−53° C. with an endothermic peak centered at −20° C.; third heat−150 to 275° C., T_(g)=−51° C. with an endothermic peak centered at −20°C. GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, resultscalculated as linear polyethylene using universal calibration theory):M_(n)=13,000 M_(w)=313,000 M_(w)/M_(n)=24.

Example 112

The complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g, 0.100mmol) was loaded into a Schlenk flask in the drybox followed by 40 ml ofdry dioxane. The septum-capped flask was connected to a Schlenk line andthe flask was then briefly evacuated and refilled with ethylene. Thelight orange mixture was stirred under an ethylene atmosphere atslightly above 1 atm by using a mercury bubbler. There was rapid uptakeof ethylene. A room temperature water bath was used to control thetemperature of the reaction. After 20 h, the reaction was worked up byremoving the solvent in vacuo to give 10.9 g of a highly viscous fluid(3870 equivalents of ethylene per Pd). Dioxane is a solvent for the Pdcomplex and a non-solvent for the polymer product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃)0.8-1.0 (m, CH₃); 1.0-1.5 (m, CH and CH₂). Integration allowscalculation of branching: 100 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, resultscalculated as linear polyethylene using universal calibration theory):Partially resolved trimodal distribution with M_(n)=16300, M_(w)=151000M_(w)/M_(n)=9.25. DSC (second heat, −150° C. to 150° C.; 15° C./min)T_(g)=−63° C., endothermic peak centered at −30° C.

Example 113

Polymerization of ethylene was carried out according to example 112,using pentane as solvent. Pentane is a non-solvent for the Pd complexand a solvent for the polymer product. The reaction gave 7.47 g of darkhighly viscous fluid (2664 equivalents of ethylene per Pd). ¹H NMRanalysis (CDCl₃): 126 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. ¹³C NMRanalysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls (128.8), Methyl (37.8),Ethyl (27.2), Propyl (3.5), Butyl (14.5), Amyl (2.5), ≧Hexyl and end ofchain (44.7), average number of carbon atoms for ≧Hexyl branches =16.6(calculated from intrinsic viscosity and GPC molecular weight data).Quantitation of the —CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ structure per 1000 CH₂'s: 8.3.These side chains are counted as a Methyl branch and an Ethyl branch inthe quantitative branching analysis, GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.,polystyrene reference, results calculated as linear polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=9,800, M_(w)=16,100,M_(w)/M_(n)=1.64. Intrinsic viscosity (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.)=0.125g/dL. Absolute molecular weights calculated by GPC (trichlorobenzene,135° C., polystyrene reference, corrected for branching using measuredintrinsic viscosity): M_(n)=34,900, M_(w)=58,800, M_(w)/M_(n)=1.68. DSC(second heat, −150° C. to 150° C., 15° C./min) T_(g)=−71° C.,endothermic peak centered at −43° C.

Example 14

Polymerization of ethylene was carried out according to example 112,using distilled degassed water as the medium. Water is a non-solvent forboth the Pd complex and the polymer product. The mixture was worked upby decanting the water from the product which was then dried in vacuo togive 0.427 g of dark sticky solid (152 equivalents of ethylene per Pd).¹H NMR analysis (CDCl3): 97 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, resultscalculated as linear polyethylene using universal calibration theory):M_(n)=25,100, M_(w)=208,000, M_(w)/M_(n)=8.31.

Example 115

Polymerization of ethylene was carried out according to example 112,using 2-ethylhexanol as the solvent. The Pd complex is sparingly solublein this solvent and the polymer product is insoluble. The polymerproduct formed small dark particles of high viscosity liquid suspendedin the 2-ethylhexanol. The solvent was decanted and the polymer wasdissolved in CHCl₃ and reprecipitated by addition of excess MeOH. Thesolvent was decanted, and the reprecipitated polymer was dried in vacuoto give 1.66 g of a dark highly viscous fluid (591 equivalents ofethylene per Pd). ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 122 methyl carbons per 1000methylene carbons. GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference, results calculated as linear polyethylene using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=7,890, M_(w)=21,600, M_(w)/M_(n)=2.74.

Example 116

The solid complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g,0.100 mmol) was loaded into a Schlenk flask in the drybox. The flask wasconnected to a Schlenk line under 1 atm of ethylene, and cooled to −78°C. Solvent,(CH₂Cl₂, 40 ml) was added by syringe and after equilibratingat −78° C. under ethylene, the mixture was warmed to room temperatureunder ethylene. The mixture was stirred under an ethylene atmosphere atslightly above 1 atm by using a mercury bubbler. There was rapid uptakeof ethylene. A room temperature water bath was used to control thetemperature of the reaction. After 24 h, the reaction was worked up byremoving the solvent in vacuo to give 24.5 g of a highly viscous fluid(8730 equivalents of ethylene per Pd). CH₂Cl₂ is a good solvent for boththe Pd complex and the polymer product. The polymer was dissolved inCH₂Cl₂, and reprecipitated by addition to excess MeOH in a tared flask.The solvent was decanted, and the reprecipitated polymer was dried invacuo to give 21.3 g of a dark highly viscous fluid. ¹H NMR analysis(CDCl₃): 105 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. C-13 NMRanalysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls (118.6), Methyl (36.2),Ethyl (25.9), Propyl (2.9), Butyl (11.9), Amyl (1.7), ≧Hexyl and end ofchains (34.4), average number of carbon atoms for ≧Hexyl branches=22.5(calculated from intrinsic viscosity and GPC molecular weight data).Quantitation of the —CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ structure per 1000 CH₂'s: 8.1.These side chains also counted as a Methyl branch and an Ethyl branch inthe quantitative branching analysis. GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.,polystyrene reference, results calculated as linear polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=25,800, M_(w)=45,900,M_(w)/M_(n)=1.78. Intrinsic viscosity (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.)=0.24g/dL. Absolute molecular weights calculated by GPC (trichlorobenzene,1350C, polystyrene reference, corrected for branching using measuredintrinsic viscosity): M_(n)=104,000, M_(w)=188,000, M_(w)/M_(n)=1.81.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR Data TCB, 120C, 0.06M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 39.7233 5.1230539.318 17.6892 MB₂ 38.2022 17.9361 MB₃+ 37.8369 32.3419 MB₃+ 37.246943.1136 αB₁, 3B₃ 36.8335 10.1653 αB₁, 3B₃ 36.7452 14.674 αB₁, 3B₃34.9592 10.3554 αγ + B, (4B₄, 5B₅, etc.) 34.6702 24.015 αγ + B, (4B₄,5B₅, etc.) 34.5257 39.9342 αγ + B, (4B₄, 5B₅, etc.) 34.2006 109.158 αγ +B, (4B₄, 5B₅, etc.) 33.723 36.1658 αγ + B, (4B₄, 5B₅, etc.) 33.313612.0398 MB₁ 32.9323 20.7242 MB₁ 32.4266 6.47794 3B₅ 31.9409 96.98743B₆+, 3EOC 31.359 15.2429 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 31.0981 19.2981 γ + γ + B, 3B₄30.6606 15.8689 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 30.2271 96.7986 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 30.118854.949 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 29.7455 307.576 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 29.5809 36.2391 γ +γ + B, 3B₄ 29.3361 79.3542 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 29.2157 23.0783 γ + γ + B, 3B₄27.6424 24.2024 βγ + B, 2B₂, (4B₅, etc.) 27.526 29.8995 βγ + B, 2B₂,(4B₅, etc.) 27.3534 23.1626 βγ + B, 2B₂, (4B₅, etc.) 27.1607 70.8066βγ + B, 2B₂, (4B₅, etc.) 27.0042 109.892 βγ + B, 2B₂, (4B₅, etc.)26.5908 7.13232 βγ + B, 2B₂, (4B₅, etc.) 26.3941 23.945 βγ + B, 2B₂,(4B₅, etc.) 25.9446 4.45077 βγ + B, 2B₂, (4B₅, etc.) 24.4034 9.52585 ββB24.2428 11.1161 ββB 23.1391 21.2608 2B₄ 23.0227 11.2909 2B₄ 22.6494103.069 2B₅+, 2EOC 20.0526 5.13224 2B₃ 19.7355 37.8832 1B₁ 19.201714.8043 1B₁, Structure XXVII 14.4175 4.50604 1B₃ 13.9118 116.163 1B₄+,1EOC 11.1986 18.5867 1B₂, Structure XXVII 10.9617 32.3855 1B₂

Example 117

Polymerization of ethylene was carried out according to example 116, ata reaction temperature of 0° C. and reaction time of several hours. Thepolymer product formed a separate fluid phase on the top of the mixture.The reaction was quenched by adding 2 ml acrylonitrile. The product wasmoderately viscous fluid, 4.5 g (1600 equivalents of ethylene per Pd).¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 108 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.¹³C NMR analysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls (115.7), Methyl(35.7), Ethyl (24.7), Propyl (2.6), Butyl (11.2), Amyl (3.2), ≧Hexyl andend of chain (37.1). Quantitation of the —CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ structure per1000 CH₂'s: 7.0. These side chains are counted as a Methyl branch and anEthyl branch in the quantitative branching analysis. GPC(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aslinear polyethylene using universal calibration theory: M_(n)=15,200,M_(w)=23,700, M_(w)/M_(n)=1.56.

Example 118

The Pd complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084g, 0.100 mmol) was loaded into a Schlenk flask in the drybox, and 40 mlof FC-75 was added. The septum-capped flask was connected to a Schlenkline and the flask was then briefly evacuated and refilled with ethylenefrom the Schlenk line. The mixture was stirred under an ethyleneatmosphere at slightly above 1 atm by using a mercury bubbler. Both thePd initiator and the polymer are insoluble in FC-75. After 15 days, thereaction flask. contained a large amount of gray elastic solid. TheFC-75 was decanted, and the solid polymer was then dissolved in CHCl₃and precipitated by addition of the solution to excess MeOH. The polymerwas dried in vacuo, and then dissolved in o-dichlorobenzene at 100° C.The hot solution was filtered through a 10 μm PTFE filter. The filteredpolymer solution was shaken in a separatory funnel with concentratedsulfuric acid, followed by distilled water, followed by 5% NaHCO₃solution, followed by two water washes. The polymer appeared to be amilky suspension in the organic layer during this treatment. Afterwashing, the polymer was precipitated by addition to excess MeOH in ablender and dried at room temperature in vacuo to give 19.6 g light grayelastic polymer fluff (6980 equivalents of ethylene per Pd). ¹H NMRanalysis (CDCl₃): 112 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. ¹³C NMRanalysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls (114.2), Methyl (42.1),Ethyl (24.8), Propyl (5.1), Butyl (10.2), Amyl (4), ≧Hexyl and end ofchain (30.3), average number of carbon atoms for ≧Hexyl branches=14.4(calculated from intrinsic viscosity and GPC molecular weight data). GPC(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aslinear polyethylene using universal calibration theory: M_(n)=110,000,M_(w)=265,000, M_(w)/M_(n)=2.40. Intrinsic viscosity (trichlorobenzene,135° C.)=1.75 g/dL. Absolute molecular weights calculated by GPC(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, corrected forbranching using measured intrinsic viscosity): M_(n)=214,000,M_(w)=535,000, M_(w)/M_(n)=2.51.

Example 119

Polymerization of ethylene was carried out according to example 112,using the complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻(0.084 g, 0.100 mmol) as the initiator and CHCl₃ as the solvent. Thereaction gave 28.4 g of dark viscous.fluid (10,140 equivalents ofethylene per Pd). ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 108 methyl carbons per 1000methylene carbons. ¹³C NMR analysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Totalmethyls (119.5), Methyl (36.9), Ethyl (25.9), Propyl (2.1), Butyl (11),Amyl (1.9), ≧Hexyl and end of chain (38.9). GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135°C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as linear polyethyleneusing universal calibration theory): M_(n)=10,800, M_(w)=26,800,M_(w)/M_(n)=2.47.

Example 120

Polymerization of ethylene was carried out according to example 112,using the complex [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(OSO₂CF₃) (0.068 g, 0.10mmol) as the initiator and CHCl₃ as the solvent. The reaction gave 5.98g of low viscosity fluid (2130 equivalents of ethylene per Pd). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) 0.8-1.0 (m, CH₃); 1.0-1.5 (m, CH and CH₂); 1.5-1.7 (m, CH₃CH═CH—); 1.9-2.1 (broad, —CH ₂CH═CHCH ₂—); 5.3-5.5 (m, —CH═CH—).Integration of the olefin end groups assuming one olefin per chain givesM_(n)=630 (DP=24). A linear polymer with this molecular weight andmethyl groups at both ends should have 46 methyl carbons per 1000methylene carbons. The value measured by integration is 161, thus thispolymer is highly branched.

Example 121

Polymerization of ethylene was carried out according to example 112,using the complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.082g, 0.10 mmol) as the initiator and CHC13 as the solvent. The reactiongave 4.47 g of low viscosity fluid (1600 equivalents of ethylene perPd). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) is similar to example 120. Integration of the olefinend groups assuming one olefin per chain gives M_(n)=880 (DP=31). Alinear polymer with this molecular weight and methyl groups at both endsshould have 34 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. The valuemeasured by integration is 156, thus this polymer is highly branched.

Example 122

Polymerization of ethylene was carried out according to example 112,using the complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}BCl (C₆F₅)₃⁻ (0.116 g, 0.10 mmol) as the initiator and CHCl₃ as the solvent. Thereaction gave 0.278 g of low viscosity fluid, after correcting for thecatalyst residue this is 0.160 g (57 equivalents of ethylene per Pd).M_(n) estimated by integration of olefin end groups is 300.

Example 123

The complex [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (0.056 g, 0.10 mmol) was loadedinto a Schlenk flask in the drybox followed by 40 ml of dry toluene. Asolution of ethyl aluminum dichloride (1.37 ml of 0.08 M solution ino-dichlorobenzene) was added while stirring. Polymerization of ethylenewas carried out using this solution according to example 112. Thereaction gave 0.255 g of low viscosity fluid, after correcting for thecatalyst residue this is 0.200 g (71 equivalents of ethylene per Pd). Mnestimated by integration of olefin end groups is 1300.

Example 124

Methyl acrylate was sparged with argon, dried over activated 4A sieves,passed through activity 1 alumina B in the drybox, and inhibited byaddition of 20 ppm phenothiazine. The solid complex{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g, 0.100 mmol) was loadedinto a Schlenk flask in the drybox. The flask was connected to a Schlenkline under 1 atm of ethylene, and cooled to −78° C. Forty ml of CH₂Cl₂was added by syringe and after equilibrating at −78° C. under ethylene,5 ml of methyl acrylate was added by syringe and the mixture was warmedto room temperature under ethylene. After 40 h, the reaction was workedup by removing the solvent in vacuo to give 3.90 g of moderately viscousfluid. Integration of the ¹H NMR spectrum showed that this copolymercontained 6.9 mole % methyl acrylate. No poly(methyl acrylate)homopolymer could be detected in this sample by ¹H NMR. H NMR shows thata significant fraction of the ester groups are located at the ends ofhydrocarbon branches: 3.65(s, —CO₂CH₃, area=4.5), 2.3(t, —CH ₂CO₂CH₃,ester ended branches, area=3), 1.6(m, —CH ₂CH₂CO₂CH₃, ester endedbranches, area=3), 0.95-1.55(m, CH and other CH₂, area=73), 0.8-0.95(m,CH₃, ends of branches or ends of chains, area=9.5) This is confirmed bythe ¹³C NMR quantitative analysis: Mole %: ethylene (93.1), methylacrylate (6.9), Branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls (80.2), Methyl(30.1), Ethyl (16.8), Propyl (1.6), Butyl (6.8), Amyl (1.3), ≧Hexyl andend of chain (20.1), methyl acrylate (41.3), Ester branchesCH(CH₂)_(n)CO₂CH₃ as a % of total ester: n≧5 (47.8), n=4 (17.4), n=1,2,3(26.8), n=0 (8).

GPC of this sample was done in THF vs. PMMA standards using a dual UV/RIdetector. The outputs of the two detectors were very similar. Since theUV detector is only sensitive to the ester functionality, and the RIdetector is a relatively nonselective mass detector, the matching of thetwo detector outputs shows that the ester functionality of the methylacrylate is distributed throughout the entire molecular weight range ofthe polymer, consistent with a true copolymer of methyl acrylate andethylene.

A 0.503 g sample of the copolymer was fractionated by dissolving inbenzene and precipitating partially by slow addition of MeOH. This typeof fractionation experiment is a particularly sensitive method fordetecting a low molecular weight methyl acrylate rich component since itshould be the most soluble material under the precipitation conditions.

The precipitate 0.349 g, (69%) contained 6.9 mole % methyl acrylate by¹H NMR integration, GPC (THF, PMMA standard, RI detector): M_(n)=19,600,M_(w)=29,500, M_(w)/M_(n)=1.51. The soluble fraction 0.180 g (36%)contained 8.3 mole % methyl acrylate by ¹H NMR integration, GPC (THF,PMMA standard, RI detector): M_(n)=11,700, M_(w)=19,800,M_(w)/M_(n)=1.70. The characterization of the two fractions shows thatthe acrylate content is only slightly higher at lower molecular weights.These results are also consistent with a true copolymer of the methylacrylate with ethylene.

Example 125

Methyl acrylate was sparged with argon, dried over activated 4A sieves,passed through activity 1 alumina B in the drybox, and inhibited byaddition of 20 ppm phenothiazine. The complex[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(OSO₂CF₃) (0.068 g, 0.10 mmol) was loaded intoa Schlenk flask in the drybox, and 40 ml of CHCl₃ was added followed by5 ml of methyl acrylate. The septum capped flask was connected to aSchlenk line and the flask was then briefly evacuated and refilled withethylene from the Schlenk line. The light orange mixture was stirredunder an ethylene atmosphere at slightly above 1 atm by using a mercurybubbler. After 20 h, the reaction was worked up by removing the solventand unreacted methyl acrylate in vacuo to give 1.75 g of a low viscositycopolymer.

¹³C NMR quantitative analysis: Mole %: ethylene (93), methyl acrylate(7), Branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls (100.9), Methyl (33.8), Ethyl(19.8), Propyl (1.9), Butyl (10.1), Amyl (7.3), ≧Hexyl and end of chains(28.4), methyl acrylate (41.8). This sample is low molecularweight—total methyls does not include end of chain methyls. Esterbranches—CH(CH2)_(n)CO₂CH₃ as a % of total ester: n≧5 (51.3), n=4(18.4), n=1,2,3 (24), n=0 (6.3).

Example 126

Ethylene and methyl acrylate were copolymerized according to example 125with catalyst {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}BAF⁻ (0.136 g,0.10 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ solvent with a reaction time of 72 hours to give4.93 g of copolymer.

Example 127

Ethylene and methyl acrylate were copolymerized according to example 125with catalyst {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g,0.10 mmol) with a reaction time of 72 hours to give 8.19 g of copolymer.

Example 128

Ethylene and methyl acrylate were copolymerized according to example 125with catalyst {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ³¹ (0.082 g,0.10 mmol) to give 1.97 g of copolymer.

Example 129

Ethylene and methyl acrylate were copolymerized according to example 125with catalyst {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(CH₃CN)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.080 g, 0.10mmol) to give 3.42 g of copolymer. The ¹H NMR shows primarily copolymer,but there is also a small amount of poly(methyl acrylate) homopolymer.

Example 130

Ethylene and methyl acrylate (20 ml) were copolymerized in 20 ml ofCHCl₃ according to example 125 using catalyst{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.339 g, 0.40 mmol) togive 2.17 g of copolymer after a reaction time of 72 hours. ¹³C NMRquantitative analysis: Mole %: ethylene (76.3), methyl acrylate (23.7).Branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls (28.7), Methyl (20.5), Ethyl(3.8), Propyl (0), Butyl (11), ≧Amyl and end of chains (13.6), methylacrylate (138.1). Ester branches—CH(CH₂)_(n)CO₂CH₃ as a % of totalester: n≧5 (38.8), n=4 (20), n=1,2,3 (15.7), n=0 (25.4).

Example 131

Ethylene and methyl acrylate (20 ml) were copolymerized in 20 ml ofCHCl₃ at 50° C. for 20 hours according to example 125 using catalyst{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.339 g, 0.40 mmol) togive 0.795 g of copolymer. DSC (two heats, −150 to +150° C., 15° C./min)shows Tg=−48° C.

Example 132

A solution of the ligand (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DAB(Me₂) (0.045 g, 0.11 mmol)dissolved in 2 ml of CHCl₃ was added to a solution of the complex[PdMe(CH₃CN)(1,5-cyclooctadiene)]+SbF₆ ⁻ (0.051 g, 0.10 mmol) in 2 ml ofCHCl₃. This mixture was combined with 35 ml of additional CHCl₃ and 5 mlof methyl acrylate in a Schlenk flask in a drybox, and then acopolymerization with ethylene was carried out according to example 125to give 1.94 g of copolymer.

Example 133

Methyl acrylate (5 ml) was added to the solid catalyst{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}BF₄ ⁻ (0.069 g, 0.10 mmol) followed by40 ml of CHCl₃. The addition of methyl acrylate before the CHCl₃ isoften important to avoid deactivation of the catalyst. Acopolymerization with ethylene was carried out according to example 125to give 2.87 g of copolymer.

Characterization of poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate) by ¹H NMR

NMR spectra in CDCl₃ were integrated and the polymer compositions andbranching ratios were calculated. See example 124 for chemical shiftsand assignments.

methyl acrylate CH₃ per CO₂CH₃ per Example Yield(g) (mole %) 1000 CH₂1000 CH₂ 124 3.9 6.9 80 42 125 1.75 7.1 104 45 126 4.93 5.6 87 34 1278.19 6.1 87 37 128 1.97 7.3 159 50 129 3.42 9.5 86 59 130 2.17 22.8 29137 131 0.795 41 14 262 132 1.94 6.1 80 36 133 2.87 8.2 70 49

Molecular Weight Characterization

GPC was done in THF using PMMA standards and an RI detector except forexample 133 which was done in trichlorobenzene at 135° C. vs.polystyrene reference with results calculated as linear polyethyleneusing universal calibration theory. When polymer end groups could bedetected by ¹H NMR (5.4 ppm, multiplet, —CH═CH—, internal double bond),M_(n) was calculated assuming two olefinic protons per chain.

Example M_(n) M_(w) M_(w)/M_(n) M_(n) (¹H NMR) 124 15,500 26,400 1.70125 1,540 2,190 1.42 850 126 32,500 49,900 1.54 127 12,300 22,500 1.83128 555 595 1.07 360 129 16,100 24,900 1.55 130 800 3,180 3.98 1,800 1311,100 132 15,200 26,000 1.71 133 5,010 8,740 1.75

Example 134

Ethylene and t-butyl acrylate (20 ml) were copolymerized according toexample 130 to give 2.039 g of viscous fluid. ¹H NMR of the crudeproduct showed the desired copolymer along with residual unreactedt-butyl acrylate. The weight of polymer corrected for monomer was 1.84g. The sample was reprecipitated to remove residual monomer by slowaddition of excess MeOH to a CHCl₃ solution. The reprecipitated polymerwas dried in vacuo. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 2.2(t, —CH ₂CO₂C(CH₃)₃, ester endedbranches), 1.6(m, —CH ₂CH₂CO₂C(CH₃)₃, ester ended branches), 1.45(s,—C(CH₃)₃), 0.95-1.45(m, CH and other CH₂), 0.75-0.95(m, CH₃, ends ofhydrocarbon branches or ends of chains). This spectrum shows that theesters are primarily located at the ends of hydrocarbon branches;integration gave 6.7 mole % t-butyl acrylate. ¹³C NMR quantitativeanalysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls (74.8), Methyl (27.7),Ethyl (15.3), Propyl (1.5), Butyl (8.6), ≧Amyl and end of chains (30.8),—CO₂C(CH₃)₃ ester (43.2). Ester ranches —CH(CH₂)_(n)CO₂C(CH₃)₃ as a % oftotal ester: n≧5 (44.3), n=1,2,3,4 (37.2), n=0 (18.5). GPC (THF, PMMAstandard): M_(n)=6000 M_(w)=8310 M_(w)/M_(n)=1.39.

Example 135

Glycidyl acrylate was vacuum distilled and inhibited with 50 ppmphenothiazine. Ethylene and glycidyl acrylate (5 ml) were copolymerizedaccording to Example 125 using catalyst{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g, 0.10 mmol).The reaction mixture was filtered through a fritted glass filter toremove chloroform insolubles, and the chloroform was removed in vacuo togive 14.1 g viscous yellow oil which still contained residual unreactedglycidyl acrylate. The sample was reprecipitated to remove residualmonomer by slow addition of excess acetone to a CHCl₃ solution. Thereprecipitated polymer was dried in vacuo to give 9.92 g of copolymercontaining 1.8 mole % glycidyl acrylate. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 4.4, 3.9, 3.2,2.85,

and other CH₂), 0.75-0.95(m, CH₃, ends of hydrocarbon branches or endsof chains). This spectrum shows that the epoxide ring is intact, andthat the glycidyl ester groups are primarily located at the ends ofhydrocarbon branches. GPC (THF, PMMA standard): M_(n)=63,100M_(w)=179,000 M_(w)/M_(n)=2.85.

¹³C NMR quantitative analysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls(101.7), Methyl (32.5), Ethyl (21.3), Propyl (2.4), Butyl (9.5), Amyl(1.4), ≧Hexyl and end of chains (29.3), Ester branches —CH(CH₂)_(n)CO₂Ras a % of total ester: n≧5 (39.7), n=4 (small amount), n=1,2,3 (50.7),n=0 (9.6).

A 3.24-g sample of the copolymer was dissolved in 50 mL of refluxingmethylene chloride. A solution of 0.18 g oxalic acid dihydrate in 5 mLof 1:1 chloroform-acetone was added to the solution of copolymer and thesolvent was evaporated off on a hot plate. The thick liquid was allowedto stand in an aluminum pan at room temperature overnight; the pan wasthen placed in an oven at 70° C. for 1.5 hr followed by 110° C./vacuumfor 5 hr. The cured polymer was a dark, non-tacky soft rubber which toreeasily (it had a very short elongation to break despite itsrubberiness).

Example 136

1-Pentene (20 ml) and methyl acrylate (5 ml) were copolymerized in 20 mlchloroform for 96 hours using catalyst{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g, 0.10 mmol).The solvent and unreacted monomers were removed in vacuo to give 0.303 gcopolymer (0.219 g after correcting for catalyst residue). The ¹H NMRspectrum was similar to the ethylene/methyl acrylate copolymer ofexample 124 suggesting that many of the ester groups are located at theends of hydrocarbon branches. Integration shows that the productcontains 21 mole % methyl acrylate. There are 65 acrylates and 96methyls per 1000 methylene carbons. GPC (THF, PMMA standard): M_(n)=6400M_(w)=11200 M_(w)/M_(n)=1.76.

Example 137

Benzyl acrylate was passed through activity 1 alumina B, inhibited with50 ppm phenothiazine, and stored over activated 4A molecular sieves.Ethylene and benzyl acrylate (5 ml) were copolymerized according toexample 135 to give 11.32 g of viscous fluid. ¹H NMR of the crudeproduct showed a mixture of copolymer and unreacted benzyl acrylate (35wt %) The residual benzyl acrylate was removed by two reprecitations,the first by addition of excess MeOH to a chloroform solution, and thesecond by addition of excess acetone to a chloroform solution. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃): 7.35 (broad s, —CH₂C₆ H ₅), 5.1(s, —CH ₂C₆H₅), 2.35(t, —CH₂CO₂CH₂C₆H₅, ester ended branches), 1.6(m, —CH ₂CH₂CO₂CH₂C₆H₅, esterended branches), 0.95-1.5(m, CH and other CH₂), 0.75-0.95(m, CH₃, endsof hydrocarbon branches or ends of chains). Integration shows that theproduct contains 3.7 mole % benzyl acrylate. There are 21 acrylates and93 methyls per 1000 methylene carbons. GPC (THF, PMMA standard):M_(n)=46,200 M_(w)=73,600 M_(w)/M_(n)=1.59.

¹³C NMR quantitative analysis, Branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls(97.2), Methyl (32.9), Ethyl (20.3), Propyl (2.4), Butyl (9.7), Amyl(2.9), ≧Hexyl and end of chains (35.2), benzyl acrylate (17.9), Esterbranches —CH(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R as a % of total ester: n≧5 (44.5), n=4 (7.2),n=1,2,3 (42.3), n=0 (6)

Example 138

1-Pentene (10 ml) and ethylene (1 atm) were copolymerized in 30 mlchloroform according to example 125 using catalyst{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g, 0.10 mmol) togive 9.11 g highly viscous yellow oil. The ¹H NMR spectrum was similarto the poly(ethylene) of example 110 with 113 methyl carbons per 1000methylene carbons. ¹³C NMR quantitative analysis, branching per 1000CH₂: Total methyls (119.5), Methyl (54.7), Ethyl (16.9), Propyl (8.4),Butyl (7.7), Amyl (7.2), ≧Hexyl and end of chains (30.9). GPC(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aslinear polyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=25,000,M_(w)=44,900, M_(w)/M_(n)=1.79.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR Data TCB, 120C, 0.05M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 39.6012 5.5353239.4313 6.33425 MB₂ 38.3004 8.71403 MB₃+ 37.9446 17.7325 MB₃+ 37.280936.416 αB₁, 3B₃ 36.7659 5.10586 αB₁, 3B₃ 34.3181 56.1758 αγ + B 33.824315.6271 αγ + B 33.3942 8.09189 MB₁ 32.9854 20.3523 MB₁ 32.6721 4.35239MB₁ 32.327 4.06305 3B₅ 31.9394 27.137 3B₆+, 3 EOC 31.4031 9.62823 γ +γ + B, 3B₄ 30.235 52.8404 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 29.7518 162.791 γ + γ + B, 3B₄29.3164 26.506 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 27.5695 15.4471 βγ + B, 2B₂ 27.134159.1216 βγ + B, 2B₂ 26.4811 8.58222 βγ + B, 2B₂ 24.4475 5.93996 ββB23.12 5.05181 2B₄ 22.6369 29.7047 2B₅+, 2 EOC 20.1626 6.29481 2B₃19.7378 31.9342 1B₁ 19.2068 3.93019 1B₁ 14.2582 5.59441 1B₃ 13.870636.3938 1B₄+, 1 EOC 10.9768 9.89028 1B₂

Example 139

1-Pentene (20 ml) was polymerized in 20 ml chloroform according toexample 138 to give 2.59 g of viscous fluid (369 equivalents 1-penteneper Pd). Integration of the ¹H NMR spectrum showed 118 methyl carbonsper 1000 methylene carbons. DSC (two heats, —150 to +150° C., 15°C./min) shows Tg=−58° C. and a low temperature melting endotherm from−50° C. to 30° C. (32 J/g).

13C NMR quantitative analysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls(118), Methyl (85.3), Ethyl (none detected), Propyl (15.6), Butyl (nondetected), ≧Amyl and end of chains (17.1). GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135°C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as linear polyethyleneusing universal calibration theory): M_(n)=22,500, M_(w)=43,800,M_(w)/M_(n)=1.94.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR data TCB, 120C, 0.05M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 42.6277 4.69744αα for Me & Et⁺ 39.5428 9.5323 3^(rd) carbon of a 6⁺carbon side chainthat has a methyl branch at the 4 position 38.1357 3.59535 37.838413.9563 MB₃ ⁺ 37.5888 28.4579 37.2224 54.6811 αB₁, 3B₃ 35.5287 6.5170835.2419 3.55603 34.6366 7.35366 34.2437 22.3787 32.911 45.2064 MB₁32.5977 10.5375 32.38 4.02878 31.8809 14.1607 3B₆+, 3EOC 30.6916 8.44427γ⁺γ⁺B 30.0703 63.1613 γ⁺γ⁺B 29.6987 248 γ⁺γ⁺B 29.2633 17.9013 γ⁺γ⁺B28.8916 3.60422 27.1182 66.2971 βγ⁺B, (4B₅, etc.) 24.5324 16.885422.5784 16.0395 2B₅+, 2EOC 20.1041 13.2742 19.6952 54.3903 1B₁, 2B₃14.2104 12.2831 13.8281 16.8199 1B₄+,EOC,1B₃

Integration of the CH₂ peaks due to the structure —CH(R)CH₂CH(R′)—,where R is an alkyl group, and R′ is an alkyl group with two or morecarbons showed that in 69% of these structures, R=Me. The regionintegrated for the structure where both R and R′ are ≧Ethyl was 39.7 ppmto 41.9 ppm to avoid including an interference from another type ofmethylene carbon on a side chain.

Example 140

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (0.020 g, 0.036 mmol) was dissolved in 4 mlCH₂Cl₂ and methyl acrylate (0.162 g, 0.38 mmol, inhibited with 50 ppmphenothiazine) was added while stirring. This solution was added to astirred suspension of NaBAF (0.033 g, 0.038 mmol) in 4 ml of CH₂Cl₂.After stirring for 1 hour, the mixture was filtered through a 0.5 μmPTFE membrane filter to remove a flocculant gray precipitate. Thesolvent was removed from the filtrate in vacuo to give a solid which wasrecrystallized from a CH₂Cl₂/pentane mixture at −40° C. to give 0.39 g(75% yield) of orange crystalline{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}BAF⁻. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 0.65(m,CH₂, 2H); 1.15-1.45(four sets of doublets for —CH(CH ₃)₂ and multipletat 1.4 for a CH₂, total area=26H); 2.19,2.21 (s,s, CH₃ of ligandbackbone, 6H); 2.40(m, CH₂, 2H); 2.90 (m, —CH(CH₃)₂, 4H); 3.05(s,—CO₂CH₃, 3H); 7.25-7.75(m, aromatic H of ligand and counterion, 19H).

All GPC data reported for examples 141-170, 177, and 204-212 were run intrichlorobenzene vs. polyethylene standards unless otherwise indicated.All DSC data reported for examples 141-170, 177, and 204-212 (secondheat, −150° C. to 150°, 10 or 15° C./min).

Example 141

A Schlenk flask containing {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiMe(Et₂O)}BAF⁻ (1.3 mg,8.3×10⁻⁷ mol) under an argon atmosphere was cooled to −78° C. Uponcooling, the argon was evacuated and the flask backfilled with ethylene(1 atm). Toluene (75 mL) was added via syringe. The polymerizationmixture was then warmed to 0° C. The solution was stirred for 30 minutes

Polymer began to precipitate from the solution within minutes. After 30minutes, the polymerization was terminated upon exposing the catalyst toair. The polymer was precipitated from acetone, collected by filtrationand washed with 6 M HCl, water, and acetone. The polymer was dried invacuo. The polymerization yielded 1.53 g of polyethylene (1.3×10⁵ TO).M_(n)=91,900; M_(w)=279,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=3.03; T_(m)=129° C. ¹H NMR(C₆D₅Cl, 142° C.) 0.6 methyls per 100 carbons.

Example 142

The reaction was done in the same way as in Example 141 using 1.3 mg of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiMe(Et₂O)}BAF⁻ (8.3×10⁻⁷ mol). The polymer wasisolated as a white solid (0.1 g).

Examples 143-148

General procedure for the polymerization of ethylene by themethylaluminoxane (MAO) activation of nickel complexes containingbidentate diimine ligands: Polymerization at 0° C.: The bisimine nickeldihalide complex (1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) was combined with toluene (100 mL) in aflame dried Schlenk flask under 1 atmosphere ethylene pressure. Thepolymerization was cooled to 0° C. in an ice-water bath. The mixture wasstirred at 0° C. for 15 minutes prior to activation with MAO.Subsequently, 1.5 mL of a 10% MAO (100 eq) solution in toluene was addedonto the nickel dihalide suspension. The solution was stirred at 0° C.for 10, 30, or 60 minutes. Within minutes increased viscosity and/orprecipitation of polyethylene was observed. The polymerization wasquenched and the polymer precipitated from acetone. The polymer wascollected by suction filtration and dried under vacuum for 24 hours. SeeTable I for a detailed description of molecular weight and catalystactivity data.

Example No. Catalyst 143 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ 144[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ 145 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ 146[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ 147 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ 148[(2,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ TO/ Thermal Condi- Yield hr · mol AnalysisExam. tions¹ (g) catalyst M_(n) M_(w) M_(w)/M_(n) (° C.) 143 0° C., 30 m5.3 22,700  80,900 231,000 2.85 119 (T_(m)) 144² 0° C., 30 m 3.8 16,300403,000 795,000 1.97 115 (T_(m)) 145³ 0° C., 30 m 3.4 14,300  42,900107,000 2.49 131 (T_(m)) 146² 0° C., 30 m 7.0 29,900 168,000 389,0002.31 107 (T_(m)) 147 0° C., 10 m 3.7 47,500 125,000 362,000 2.89 122(T_(m)) 148 0° C., 10 m 5.1 65,400 171,000 440,000 2.58 115 (T_(m))¹Polymerization reactions run at 1 atmosphere ethylene pressure.²Branching Analysis by ¹³C NMR per 1000 CH₂: Ex. 144: Total methyls(54.3), Methyl (43.4), Ethyl (3.3), Propyl (2), Butyl (1.3), ≧Butyl andend of chains (5.7). Ex. 146: Total methyls (90.9), Methyl (65.3), Ethyl(7.2), Propyl (4.5), Butyl (3.5), Amyl (4.5), ≧Hexyl and end of chains(10.2). ³Ex. 145: ¹H NMR (C₆D₅Cl), 142° C.) 0.1 methyl per 100 carbonatoms.

Examples 149-154

Polymerization at Ambient Temperature The general procedure describedfor the MAO activation of the diimine nickel dihalides was followed inthe polymerizations detailed below, except all polymerizations were runbetween 25-30° C.

Example No. Catalyst 149 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ 150[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ 151 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ 152[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ 153 [(2,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ 154[(2,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ TO/ Thermal Condi- Yield hr · mol AnalysisExam. tions¹ (g) catalyst M_(n) M_(w) M_(w)/M_(n) (° C.) 149 30° C., 302.5 12,200 15,500 34,900 2.25 — m 150² 25° C., 30 3.4 14,500 173,000 248,000  1.44 −51 (T_(g)) m 151³ 25° C., 30 7.2 30,800 13,900 39,9002.88 90,112 m (T_(m)) 152² 25° C., 30 4.2 18,000 82,300 175,000  2.80 39(T_(m)) m 153 25° C., 10 4.9 62,900 14,000 25,800 1.85 — m 154 25° C.,10 3.7 47,500 20,000 36,000 1.83 — m ¹Polymerization reactions run at 1atmosphere ethylene pressure. ²Branching Analysis by ¹³C NMR per 1000CH₂: Ex. 150: Total methyls (116.3), Methyl (93.5), Ethyl (6.2), Propyl(3.2), Butyl (2.9), Am (6.6), ≧Hex and end of chains (11.2). Ex. 152:Total methyls (141.9), Methyl (98.1), Ethyl (15.9), Propyl (5.6), Butyl(6.8), Amyl (4.1), ≧Hex and end of chains (10.7). Quantitation of the—CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ structure per 1000 CH₂'s: 8. ³Ex. 151: ¹H NMR(C₆D₅Cl), 142° C.) 3 methyl per 100 carbon atoms.

Example 155

A standard solution of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was prepared asfollows: 1,2-difluorobenzene (10 mL) was added to 6.0 mg of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (8.4×10⁻⁶ mol) in a 10 mL volumetric flask.The standard solution was transferred to a Kontes flask and stored underan argon atmosphere.

The standard catalyst solution (1.0 mL, 8.4×10⁻⁷ mol catalyst) was addedto a Schlenk flask which contained 100 mL toluene, and was under 1atmosphere ethylene pressure. The solution was cooled to 0° C., and 1.5mL of a 10% solution of MAO (≧1000 eq) was added. The solution wasstirred for 30 minutes. Polymer began to precipitate within minutes. Thepolymerization was quenched and the polymer precipitated from acetone.The resulting polymer was dried in vacuo (2.15 g, 1.84×10⁵ TO).M_(n)=489,000; M_(w)=1,200,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.47.

Example 156

The polymerization of ethylene at 25° C. was accomplished in anidentical manner to that described in Example 155. The polymerizationyielded 1.8 g of polyethylene (1.53×10⁵ TO). M_(n)=190,000;M_(w)=410,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.16; ¹H NMR (C₆D₅Cl, 142° C.) 7 methyls per100 carbons.

Example 157

A standard solution of [(2,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was prepared in the sameway as described for the complex in Example 155 using 5.0 mg of[(2,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (8.4×10⁻⁶ mol).

Toluene (100 mL) and 1.0 mL of the standard solution of complex 5(8.3×10⁻⁷ mol catalyst) were combined in a Schlenk flask under 1atmosphere ethylene pressure. The solution was cooled to 0° C., and 1.5mL of a 10% solution of MAO(≧1000 eq) was added. The polymerizationmixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The polymerization was terminatedand the polymer precipitated from acetone. The reaction yielded 1.60 gof polyethylene (1.4×10⁵ TO). M_(n)=590,000; M_(w)=1,350,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=2.29.

Example 158

Toluene (200 mL) and 1.0 mL of a standard solution of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (8.3×10⁻⁷ mol catalyst) were combined in aFisher-Porter pressure vessel. The resulting solution was cooled to 0°C., and 1.0 mL of a 10% MAO (≧1000 eq) solution in toluene was added toactivate the polymerization. Subsequent to the MAO addition, the reactorwas rapidly pressurized to 276 kPa. The solution was stirred for 30minutes at 0° C. After 30 minutes, the reaction was quenched and polymerprecipitated from acetone. The resulting polymer was dried under reducedpressure. The polymerization yielded 2.13 g of white polyethylene(1.82×10⁵ TO). M_(n)=611,000; M_(w)=1,400,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.29;T_(m)=123° C.; ¹H NMR (C₆D₅Cl, 142° C.) 0.5 methyls per 100 carbons.

Examples 159-160 Polymerization of Propylene

The diimine nickel dihalide complex (1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) was combined withtoluene (100 mL) in a Schlenk flask under 1 atmosphere propylenepressure. The polymerization was cooled to 0° C., and 1.5 mL of a 10%MAO (100 eq) solution in toluene was added. The solution was stirred for2 hours. The polymerization was quenched and the polymer precipitatedfrom acetone. The polymer was dried under vacuum.

Example No. Catalyst 159 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ 160[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ TO/ Thermal Condi- Yield hr · mol AnalysisExam. tions¹ (g) catalyst M_(n) M_(w) M_(w)/M_(n) (° C.) 159 0° C., 2 h1.3   900 131,000^(a) 226,000 1.72 −20 (T_(g)) 160 0° C., 2 h 4.3 2,900147,000  235,000 1.60 −78, −20 (T_(g)) ^(a)GPC (toluene, polystyrenestandard)

Ex. 159: ¹H NMR (C₆D₅Cl), 142° C.) 30 methyls per 100 carbon atoms.

Ex. 160: ¹H NMR (C₆D₅Cl), 142° C.) 29 methyls per 100 carbon atoms.Quantitative ¹³C NMR analysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls(699). Based on the total methyls, the fraction of 1,3-enchainment is13%. Analysis of backbone carbons (per 1000 CH₂): δ⁺ (53), δ⁺/γ (0.98).

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR Data TCB, 140C, 0.05M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 47.3161 53.176746.9816 89.3849 46.4188 82.4488 45.84 23.1784 38.4702 12.8395 38.098529.2643 37.472 18.6544 37.2915 24.8559 35.3747 15.6971 34.5623 14.635333.3145 14.2876 32.996 12.2454 30.9464 24.2132 30.6703 57.4826 30.08130.122 γ to single branch 29.6987 29.2186 δ⁺ to branch 28.3659 298.69127.4792 33.2539 27.1235 29.7384 24.5324 9.45408 21.1554 20.0541 20.6244110.077 19.9926 135.356 16.9342 8.67216 16.4829 8.81404 14.9962 8.38097

Example 161

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ (10 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) was combined withtoluene (40 mL) under a N₂ atmosphere. A 10% solution of MAO (1.5 mL,100 eq) was added to the solution. After 30 minutes, the Schlenk flaskwas backfilled with propylene. The reaction was stirred at roomtemperature for 5.5 hours. The polymerization was quenched, and theresulting polymer dried under vacuum (670 mg, 213 TO/h). M_(n)=176,000;M_(w)=299,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.70. Quantitative ¹³C NMR analysis,branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls (626), Methyl (501), Ethyl (1),≧Butyl and end of chain (7). Based on the total methyls, the fraction of1,3-enchainment is 22%. Analysis of backbone carbons (per 1000 CH₂): δ⁺(31), δ⁺/γ (0.76).

Examples 162-165

The diimine nickel dihalide catalyst precursor (1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) wascombined with toluene (40 mL) and 1-hexene (10 mL) under a N₂atmosphere. Polymerization reactions of 1-hexene were run at both 0° C.and room temperature. A 10% solution of MAO (1.5 mL, 100 eq) in toluenewas added. Typically the polymerization reactions were stirred for 1-2hours. The polymer was precipitated from acetone and collected bysuction filtration. The resulting polymer was dried under vacuum.

Ex. No. Catalyst 162 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ 163[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ 164 [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ 165[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ TO/ Thermal Condi- Yield hr · mol AnalysisExam. tions¹ (g) catalyst M_(n) ^(a) M_(w) M_(w)/M_(n) (° C.) 162 25°C., 1 h 3.0 2100 173,000  318,000 1.84 −48 (T_(g)) 163 25° C., 1 h 1.2 860 314,000  642,000 2.05 −54 (T_(g)) −19 (T_(m)) 164 0° C., 2 h 3.01100 70,800 128,000 1.80 −45 (T_(g)) 165 0° C., 2 h 1.5  540 91,700142,000 1.55 −49 (T_(g)) ^(a)GPC (toluene, polystyrene standards).

Branching Analysis Ex. 162: by ¹³C NMR per 1000 CH₂:

Total methyls (157.2), Methyl (47), Ethyl (1.9), Propyl (4.5), Butyl(101.7), ≧Am and end of chain (4.3).

¹³C NMR data (Example 162) TCB, 120C, 0.05M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity42.8364 7.99519 Methine 41.3129 27.5914 αα to two Eth⁺ branches 40.575919.6201 αα to two Eth⁺ branches 37.8831 14.7864 Methines and Methylenes37.2984 93.6984 Methines and Methylenes 36.6684 6.99225 Methines andMethylenes 35.5773 36.067 Methines and Methylenes 34.655 55.825 Methinesand Methylenes 34.3091 63.3862 Methines and Methylenes 33.8356 24.1992Methines and Methylenes 33.428 53.7439 Methines and Methylenes 32.995751.1648 Methines and Methylenes 31.9169 17.4373 Methines and Methylenes31.5546 14.008 Methines and Methylenes 31.1552 10.6667 Methines andMethylenes 30.5993 34.6931 Methines and Methylenes 30.274 56.8489Methines and Methylenes 30.1258 42.1332 Methines and Methylenes 29.74797.9715 Methines and Methylenes 29.1047 47.1924 Methines and Methylenes28.8823 64.5807 Methines and Methylenes 28.1289 13.6645 Methines andMethylenes 27.5648 61.3977 Methines and Methylenes 27.1777 50.9087Methines and Methylenes 27.0213 31.6159 Methines and Methylenes 26.914231.9306 Methines and Methylenes 26.4572 4.715666 Methines and Methylenes23.2085 154.844 2B₄ 22.6074 12.0719 2B₅+,EOC 20.0669 8.41495 1B₁ 19.696357.6935 1B₁ 15.9494 17.7108 14.3477 8.98123 13.8742 248 1B₄+,EOC

Example 166

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ (10.4 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) was combined withtoluene (15 mL) and 1-hexene (40 mL) under 1 atmosphere ethylenepressure. The solution was cooled to 0° C., and 1.5 mL of a 10% MAO (100eq) solution in toluene was added. The reaction was stirred at 0° C. for2.5 hours. The polymerization was quenched and the polymer precipitatedfrom acetone. The resulting polymer was dried under reduced pressure(1.4 g). M_(n)=299,000; M_(w)=632,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.12.

Branching Analysis by ¹³C NMR per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls (101.3),Methyl (36.3), Ethyl (1.3), Propyl (6.8), Butyl (47.7), ≧Amyl and end ofchains (11.5).

Example 167

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ (10 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) was added to a solutionwhich contained toluene (30 mL) and 1-octene (20 mL) under 1 atmethylene. A 10% solution of MAO (1.5 mL, 100 eq) in toluene was added.The resulting purple solution was allowed to stir for 4 hours at roomtemperature. Solution viscosity increased over the duration of thepolymerization. The polymer was precipitated from acetone and driedunder vacuum resulting in 5.3 g of copolymer. M_(n)=15,200,M_(w)=29,100, M_(n)/M_(w)=1.92.

Example 168

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (12 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) was combined withtoluene (75 mL) in a Schlenk flask under 1 atmosphere ethylene pressure.The mixture was cooled to 0° C., and 0.09 mL of a 1.8 M solution intoluene of Et₂AlCl (10 eq) was added. The resulting purple solution wasstirred for 30 minutes at 0° C. The polymerization was quenched and thepolymer precipitated from acetone. The resulting polymer was dried underreduced pressure (6.6 g, 2.8×10⁴ TO). M_(n)=105,000; M_(w)=232,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=2.21.

Example 169

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (12 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) was combined withtoluene (75 mL) under 1 atmosphere propylene pressure. The solution wascooled to 0° C. and 0.1 mL of Et₂AlCl (≧10 eq) was added. The reactionwas stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours. The polymerization was quenched andthe polymer precipitated from acetone. The resulting polymer was driedunder reduced pressure (3.97 g, 2800 TO).

Example 170

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (12 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) was combined withtoluene (50 mL) and 1-hexene (25 mL) under a N₂ atmosphere. Et₂AlCl(0.01 mL, 10 eq) was added to the polymerization mixture. The resultingpurple solution was allowed to stir for 4 hours. After 4 hours thepolymerization was quenched and the polymer precipitated from acetone.The polymerization yielded 1.95 g poly(1-hexene) (348 TO/h).M_(n)=373,000; M_(w)=680,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.81.

Example 171

1-Tetradecene (20 ml) was polymerized in methylene chloride (10 ml) for20 hr using catalyst {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻(0.04 g, 0.05 mmol). The solvent and reacted monomer were removed invacuo. The polymer was precipitated to remove unreacted monomer, by theaddition of acetone to a chloroform solution. The precipitated polymerwas dried in vacuo to give a 10.2 g yield. ¹³C NMR (trichlorobenzene,120° C.) integrated to give the following branching analysis per 1000methylene carbons: Total methyls (69.9), methyl (24.5), ethyl (11.4),propyl (3.7), butyl (2.3) amyl (0.3), ≧Hexyl and end of chain (24.2).Thermal analysis showed Tg=−42.7° C., and Tm =33.7° C. (15.2 J/g).

Listed below are the 13C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR Data TCB, 120C, 0.05M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 39.3416 7.78511MB₂ 38.2329 5.03571 MB₃+ 37.8616 9.01667 MB₃+ 37.5857 3.33517 MB₃+37.2462 31.8174 αB₁, 3B₃ 36.6415 2.92585 αB₁. 3B₃ 34.668 5.10337 αγ⁺B34.2384 38.7927 αγ⁺B 33.7397 16.9614 3B₅ 33.3471 3.23743 3B₆+, 3EOC32.9387 16.0951 γ⁺γ⁺B, 3B₄ 31.9148 27.6457 γ⁺γ⁺B, 3B₄ 31.1297 6.03301γ⁺γ⁺B, 3B₄ 30.212 59.4286 γ⁺γ⁺B, 3B₄ 29.7398 317.201 γ⁺γ⁺B, 3B₄ 29.310132.1392 γ⁺γ⁺B, 3B₄ 27.1511 46.0554 βγ⁺B, 2B₂ 27.0185 53.103 βγ⁺B, 2B₂26.419 9.8189 βγ⁺B, 2B₂ 24.244 2.46963 ββB 22.6207 28.924 2B₅+, 2EOC20.0479 3.22712 2B₃ 19.7084 18.5679 1B₁ 14.3929 3.44368 1B₃ 13.867730.6056 1B₄+, 1EOC 10.9448 9.43801 1B₂

Example 172

4-Methyl-1-pentene (20 ml) was polymerized in methylene chloride (10 ml)for 19 hr using catalyst {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆⁻ (0.04 g, 0.05 mmol). The solvent and unreacted monomer were removed invacuo. The polymer was precipitated to remove residual monomer byaddition of excess acetone to a chloroform solution. The precipitatedpolymer was dried in vacuo to give a 5.7 g yield. ¹³C NMR(trichlorobenzene, 120° C.) integrated to give 518 methyls per 1000methylene carbon atoms. Thermal analysis showed Tg −30.3° C.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR Data TCB, 120C, 0.05M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 47.8896 13.332347.4011 8.54293 45.7127 26.142 45.1392 17.4909 43.9658 13.9892 43.137512.7089 42.6171 11.5396 41.8207 9.00437 39.203 64.9357 37.9712 24.431837.3075 87.438 35.4862 16.3581 34.9553 24.5286 34.35 31.8827 33.362425.7696 33.0226 42.2982 31.4403 25.3221 30.6226 38.7083 28.504 26.814927.989 81.8147 27.7341 78.3801 27.5802 94.6195 27.458 75.8356 27.086435.5524 25.6103 97.0113 23.4333 59.6829 23.0563 41.5712 22.536 154.14421.9944 5.33517 20.7307 16.294 20.4971 34.7892 20.2953 29.9359 19.737862.0082

Example 173

1-Eicosene (19.0 g) was polymerized in methylene chloride (15 ml) for 24hr using catalyst {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻(0.047 g, 0.05 mmol). The solvent and unreacted monomer were removed invacuo. The polymer was precipitated to remove residual monomer byaddition of excess acetone to a chloroform solution of the polymer. Thesolution was filtered to collect the polymer. The precipitated polymerwas dried in vacuo to give a 5.0 g yield. ¹³C NMR quantitative analysis,branching per 1000 CH2: Total methyls (27), Methyl (14.3), Ethyl (0),Propyl (0.2), Butyl (0.6), Amyl (0.4), ≧Hexyl and end of chains (12.4).

Integration of the CH₂ peaks due to the structure —CH(R)CH₂CH(R′)—,where R is an alkyl group, and R′ is an alkyl group with two or morecarbons showed that in 82% of these structures, R=Me.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

13_(C) NMR data TCB, 120 C., 0.05 M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 37.785313.978 MB₂+ 37.1428 52.1332 αB 34.1588 41.067 αB₄+ 32.826 26.6707 MB₁31.8066 24.9262 3B₆+, 3EOC 30.0703 96.4154 γ⁺γ⁺B, 3B₄ 29.6243 1239.8γ⁺γ⁺B, 3B₄ 27.0013 78.7094 Bγ⁺B, (4B₅, etc.) 22.5041 23.2209 2B₅ ⁺, 2EOC19.605 30.1221 1B₁ 13.759 23.5115 1B₄ ⁺, EOC

Example 174

The complex [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl (0.010 g, 0.019 mmol) andnorbornene (0.882 g, 9.37 mmol) were weighed into a vial and dissolvedin 2 ml CH₂Cl₂. NaBAF (0.032 g, 0.036 mmol) was rinsed into the stirringmixture with 2 ml of CH₂Cl₂ After stirring about 5 minutes, there wassudden formation of a solid precipitate. Four ml of o-dichlorobenzenewas added and the solution became homogenous and slightly viscous. Afterstirring for 3 days, the homogeneous orange solution was moderatelyviscous. The polymer was precipitated by addition of the solution toexcess MeOH, isolated by filtration, and dried in vacuo to give 0.285 g(160 equivalents norbornene per Pd) bright orange glassy solid. DSC (twoheats, 15° C./min) showed no thermal events from −50 to 300° C. This isconsistent with addition type poly(norbornene). Ring-openingpolymerization of norbornene is known to produce an amorphous polymerwith a glass transition temperature of about 30-55° C.

Example 175

The solid complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.080 g, 0.10mmol) was added as a solid to a stirring solution of norbornene (1.865g) in 20 ml of o-dichlorobenzene in the drybox. About 30 min after thestart of the reaction, there was slight viscosity (foam on shaking) andthe homogeneous mixture was dark orange/red. After stirring for 20 h,the solvent and unreacted norbornene were removed in vacuo to give 0.508g orange-red glassy solid (54 equivalents norbornene/Pd). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃): broad featureless peaks from 0.8-2.4 ppm, no peaks in theolefinic region. This spectrum is consistent with addition typepoly(norbornene). GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference,results calculated as linear polyethylene using universal calibrationtheory): Mn=566 Mw=1640 Mw/Mn=2.90.

Example 176

4-Methyl-1-pentene (10 ml) and ethylene (1 atm) were copolymerized in 30ml of chloroform according to example 125 using catalyst{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g, 0.10 mmol) togive 23.29 g highly viscous yellow oil. The ¹H NMR spectrum was similarto the poly(ethylene) of example 110 with 117 methyl carbons per 1000methylene carbons. ¹³C NMR quantitative analysis, branching per 1000CH₂: Total methyls (117.1), Methyl (41.5), Ethyl (22.7), Propyl (3.3),Butyl (13), Amyl (1.2), ≧Hexyl and end of chains (33.1), ≧Amyl and endof chains (42.3), By ¹³C NMR this sample contains two identifiablebranches at low levels attributable to 4-methyl-1-pentene. The Bu and≧Amyl peaks contain small contributions from isopropyl ended branchstructures.

Example 177

CoCl₂ (500 mg, 3.85 mmol) and (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn (2.0 g, 4.0 mmol) werecombined as solids and dissolved in 50 mL of THF. The brown solution wasstirred for 4 hours at 25° C. The solvent was removed under reducedpressure resulting in a brown solid (1.97 g, 82% yield).

A portion of the brown solid (12 mg) was immediately transferred toanother Schlenk flask and dissolved in 50 mL of toluene under 1atmosphere of ethylene. The solution was cooled to 0° C., and 1.5 mL ofa 10% MAO solution in toluene was added. The resulting purple solutionwas warmed to 25° C. and stirred for 12 hours. The polymerization wasquenched and the polymer precipitated from acetone. The white polymer(200 mg) was collected by filtration and dried under reduced pressure.M_(n)=225,000, M_(w)=519,000, M_(w)/M_(n)=2.31, T_(g)=−42°, T_(m)=52° C.and 99.7° C.

Example 178

Ethyl 10-undecenoate (10 ml) and ethylene (1 atm) were copolymerized in30 ml of CH₂Cl₂ according to example 125 using catalyst{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g, 0.10 mmol).The copolymer was precipitated by removing most of the CH₂Cl₂ in vacuo,followed by addition of excess acetone. The solution was decanted andthe copolymer was dried in vacuo to give 1.35 g viscous fluid. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃): 0.75-0.95(m, CH₃); 0.95-1.5(m, —C(O)OCH2CH ₃, CH₂, CH);1.5-1.7(m, —CH ₂CH₂C(O)OCH₂CH₃); 1.9-2.0(m, —CH ₂CH═CH—); 2.3(t, —CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₂CH₃); 4.15(q, —CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH ₂CH₃); 5.40(m, —CH═CH—). Theolefinic and allylic peaks are due to isomerized ethyl 10-undecenoatewhich has coprecipitated with the copolymer. Adjusting for this, theactual weight of copolymer in this sample is 1.18 g. The copolymer wasreprecipitated by addition of excess acetone to a chloroform solution.¹H NMR of the reprecipitated polymer is similar except there are nopeaks due to isomerized ethyl 10-undecenoate at 1.9-2.0 and 5.40 ppm.Based on integration, the reprecipitated copolymer contains 7.4 mole %ethyl 10-undecenoate, and 83 methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons.¹³C NMR quantitative analysis, branching per 1000 CH²: Total methyls(84.5), Methyl (31.7), Ethyl(16.9), Propyl (1.5), Butyl (7.8), Amyl(4.4), ≧Hexyl and end of chains (22.3). GPC (THF, PMMA standard):Mn=20,300 Mw=26,300 Mw/Mn=1.30. ¹³C NMR quantitative analysis, branchingper 1000 CH2: ethyl ester (37.8), Ester branches —CH(CH₂)nCO₂CH₂CH₃ as a% of total ester: n≧5 (65.8), n=4 (6.5), n=1,2,3 (26.5), n=0 (1.2).

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

13_(C) NMR Data Freq ppm Intensity 59.5337 53.217 39.7234 2.5736139.3145 7.80953 38.2207 11.9395 37.8437 20.3066 37.2225 29.7808 36.71815.22075 34.6792 17.6322 34.265 107.55 33.7181 21.9369 33.3093 8.2257432.9164 15.0995 32.396 8.52655 32.0828 5.79098 31.9075 37.468 31.12713.8003 30.6757 8.38026 30.2084 52.5908 29.9961 27.3761 29.72 151.16429.5076 39.2815 29.2899 69.7714 28.727 6.50082 27.5164 20.4174 26.990864.4298 26.5713 9.18236 26.3749 11.8136 25.5519 4.52152 25.0528 43.755424.2457 7.9589 23.1094 10.0537 22.9926 4.71618 22.6156 37.2966 20.02452.4263 19.6847 25.9312 19.1643 5.33693 17.5183 2.20778 14.2954 66.175913.8653 43.8215 13.414 2.52882 11.1521 5.9183 10.9237 14.9294 174.9453.27848 172.184 125.486 171.695 4.57235

Example 179

The solid complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.080 g, 0.10mmol) was added as a solid to a stirring solution of cyclopentene (1.35g, 20 mmol) in 20 ml of dichlorobenzene in the drybox. After stirring 20h, the slightly viscous solution was worked up by removing the solventin vacuo to give 1.05 g sticky solid (156 equivalents of cyclopenteneper Pd). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): complex spectrum from 0.6-2.6 ppm with maximaat 0.75, 1.05, 1.20, 1.55, 1.65, 1.85, 2.10, 2.25, and 2.50. There isalso a multiplet for internal olefin at 5.25-5.35. This is consistentwith a trisubstituted cyclopentenyl end group with a single proton (W.M. Kelly et. al., Macromolecules 1994, 27, 4477-4485.) Integrationassuming one olefinic proton per polymer chain gives DP=8.0 and Mn=540.IR (Thin film between NaCl plates, cm⁻¹): 3048 (vw, olefinic end group,CH stretch), 1646(vw, olefinic end group, R₂C═CHR trisubstituted doublebond stretch), 1464(vs), 1447(vs), 1364(m), 1332(m), 1257(w), 1035(w),946(m), 895(w), 882(w), 803(m, cyclopentenyl end group, R₂C═CHRtrisubstituted double bond, CH bend), 721(vw, cyclopentenyl end group,RHC═CHR disubstituted double bond, CH bend). GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135°C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as linear polyethyleneusing universal calibration theory): M_(n)=138 M_(w)=246M_(w)/M_(n)=1.79.

Example 180

The solid complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻(0.084 g, 0.10 mmol) was added to a stirring solution of 10.0 mlcyclopentene in 10 ml CHCl₃ in the drybox. After stirring for 20 h, themixture appeared to be separated into two phases. The solvent andunreacted monomer were removed in vacuo leaving 2.20 g off-white solid(323 equivalents cyclopentene per Pd). DSC (25 to 300° C., 15° C./min,first heat): Tg=107° C., Tm (onset)=165° C., Tm (end)=260° C., Heat offusion=29 J/g.

Similar results were obtained on the second heat. GPC (trichlorobenzene,135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as linearpolyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=28,700M_(w)=33,300 M_(w)/M_(n)=1.16.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR analysis for this polymer.

13_(C) NMR Data TCB, 120 C. 0.05 M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 46.4873142.424 38.339 59.7617 30.5886 137.551

Example 181

The solid complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻(0.084 g, 0.10 mmol) was added to a stirring solution of 10.0 mlcyclopentene in 10 ml CHCl₃ in a Schlenk flask. The flask was evacuatedbriefly and refilled with ethylene. It was maintained under slightlyabove 1 atm ethylene pressure using a mercury bubbler. After 20 h, thesolvent and unreacted monomers were removed in vacuo from thehomogeneous solution to give 12.89 g of highly viscous fluid. ¹H-NMR(CDCl₃): cyclopentene peaks: 0.65(m, 1H); 1.15(broad s, 2H); 1.5-2.0(m,5H); ethylene peaks: 0.75-0.95(m, CH₃); 0.95-1.5(m, CH and CH₂).Integration shows 24 mole % cyclopentene in this copolymer. Analysis ofthe polyethylene part of the spectrum (omitting peaks due to cyclopentylunits) shows 75 total methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. Basedon quantitative ¹³C analysis, the distribution of branches per 1000methylene carbons is Methyl (21), Ethyl (13), Propyl (˜0), Butyl (20)and ≧Amyl (20). DSC (first heat: 25 to 150° C., 10° C./min; first cool:150 to −150° C., 10° C./min; second heat: −150 to 150° C., 10° C./min,;values of second heat reported): Tg=−33° C., Tm=19° C. (11 J/g). GPC(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aslinear polyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=3,960M_(w)=10,800 M_(w)/M_(n)=2.73.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

13_(C) NMR Data TCB, 120 C., 0.05 M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 48.3441.85262 46.5562 22.8938 1 cme and/or 1,3 ccmcc 44.9064 10.8003 1,3 cme42.0842 16.824 40.7845 117.364 2 eme 40.5777 113.702 1,3 eme 40.3336136.742 1,3 eme 39.5591 15.0962 methylene from 2 cmc or/and 2 cme38.7634 18.636 38.4716 12.3847 38.2488 17.3939 37.2144 17.5837 36.721111.057 36.2913 11.0136 35.8776 22.0367 35.6176 90.3685 34.5248 15.73434.1959 24.7661 33.0182 14.0261 31.8671 238.301 31.4056 20.6401 30.843311.2412 30.4613 20.2901 30.0104 62.2997 29.7133 78.3272 29.2359 31.611128.9653 53.5526 28.6577 64.0528 26.9813 17.6335 26.3925 4.51208 25.93635.6969 24.2971 1.70709 22.9019 9.13305 2B₄ 22.6048 14.3641 2B₅+, 2EOC19.7349 10.124 1B₁ 19.1991 2.00384 1B₁ 17.5811 2.28331 end group 13.878326.3448 1B₄+, 1EOC 12.6264 19.6468 end group 10.9501 4.96188 1B₂

Example 182

1-Pentene (10 ml) and cyclopentene (10 ml) were copolymerized in 20 mlof o-dichlorobenzene solvent according to example 180. After 72 h, theunreacted monomers and part of the solvent were removed in vacuo to give3.75 g highly viscous fluid. Analysis by ¹H NMR showed that thismaterial contained 1.81 g of copolymer; the remainder waso-dichlorobenzene. The ¹H NMR spectrum was very similar topoly(ethylene-co-cyclopentene) in Example 181. Integration shows 35 mole% cyclopentene in this copolymer. Analysis of the poly(1-pentene) partof the spectrum (omitting peaks due to cyclopentyl units) shows 62methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. The fraction of ω,1-enchainment (chain straightening) in this section is 72%. Based onquantitative ¹³C analysis, the distribution of branches per 1000methylene carbons is Methyl (36), Propyl (7), and ≧Amyl (20). DSC (firstheat: −150 to 150° C., 15° C./min; first cool: 150 to −150° C., 15°C./min; second heat: −150 to 150° C., 15° C./min,; values of second heatreported): Tg=−19° C., Tm=50° C. (24 J/g). GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135°C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as linear polyethyleneusing universal calibration theory): Mn=14,900 Mw=27,300 Mw/Mn=1.82

Example 183

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with chloroform (40 mL), methyl acrylate(10 mL), {[(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe) }BAF⁻ (0.100 g, 0.073 mmol), andethylene (2.1 MPa). The reaction mixture was stirred under 1.4 MPa ofethylene for 180 min; during this time the temperature inside thereactor remained between 25 and 26° C. The ethylene pressure was thenvented, and the crude reaction mixture discharged from the reactor. Thereactor was washed with 2×50 mL of chloroform. The washings were addedto the crude reaction mixture; 250 mL of methanol was added to theresulting solution. After standing overnight, the polymer product hadprecipitated from solution; it was isolated by decanting off thechloroform/methanol solution, and dried giving 3.91 g of an extremelyviscous oil. ¹H NMR of this material showed it to be ethylene/methylacrylate copolymer, containing 1.1 mole % methyl acrylate. The polymercontained 128 methyl-ended hydrocarbon branches per 1000 methylenes, and7 methyl ester ended branches per 1000 methylenes.

Example 184

A solution of {[(Np)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)}SbF₆ ⁻ (0.027 g, 0.02 mmol) in 5mL CDCl₃ was agitated under 1.4 MPa of ethylene for 3 h; during thistime the temperature inside the reactor varied between 25 and 40° C. ¹HNMR of the solution indicated the presence of ethylene oligomers. Mn wascalculated on the basis of ¹H NMR integration of aliphatic vs. olefinicresonances to be 100. The degree of polymerization, DP, was calculatedon the basis of the ¹H NMR spectrum to be 3.8; for a linear polymer thiswould result in 500 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes. However,based on the ¹H NMR spectrum the number of methyl-ended branches per1000 methylenes was calculated to be 787.

Example 185 [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂

A Schlenk tube was charged with 0.288 g (0.826 mmol) of(2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂, which was then dissolved in 15 mL of CH₂Cl₂. Thissolution was cannulated onto a suspension of (DME)NiBr₂ (0.251 g, 0.813mmol) in 15 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The reaction mixture was allowed to stirovernight, resulting in a deep red solution. The solution was filteredand the solvent evaporated under vacuum. The remaining. orange, oilyresidue was washed with ether (2×10 mL) and dried under vacuum to givean orange/rust powder (0.36 g, 78%).

Example 186 [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂

(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn (0.202 g, 0.454 mmol) and (DME)NiBr₂ (0.135 g, 0.437mmol) were combined and stirred in 25 mL of CH₂Cl₂, as in Example 185.An orange/rust solid was isolated (0.18 g, 62%).

Example 187 [(2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂

The corresponding diimine (0.559 g, 1.00 mmol) and (DME)NiBr₂ (0.310 g,1.00 mmol) were combined and stirred in 35 mL of CH₂Cl₂, as was done inExample 185. An orange solid was isolated (0.64 g, 83%).

Examples 188-190

Polymerizations were carried out at 0° C. and under 1 atmosphere ofethylene pressure. The (diimine)NiBr₂ complex (1.4-1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) wasplaced into a flame-dried Schlenk flask and dissolved in 100 mL oftoluene. The flask was placed under ethylene and cooled in an ice bath.Polymerization was initiated by addition of 100 equivalents (1.5 mL 10%soln in toluene) of methylaluminoxane (MAO). The reaction mixture wasstirred for 30 or 120 minutes at constant temperature followed byquenching with 6M HCl. Polymer was precipitated from the resultingviscous solution with acetone, collected via filtration, and dried undervacuum for 24 h. A summary of results is shown below.

Ex No. Catalyst 188 [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂] NiBr₂ 189[(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ 190 [(2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ Catalyst YieldTO/hr · mol Exam. (10⁻⁵ mol) Conditions (g) catalyst 188 (1.7)  0° C.,120 m 9.88 10,500 189 (1.4) 0° C., 30 m 8.13 40,500 190 (1.5) 0° C., 30m 6.60 31,000

Examples 191-196

General Procedure. The procedure of Example 84 for thehomopolymerization of ethylene) was followed with the exception that theacrylate was added to the reaction mixture at −78° C. immediatelyfollowing the addition of 50 mL of CH₂Cl₂. Polymerizations are at roomtemperature (rt) and 1 atm ethylene unless stated otherwise. Thecopolymers were generally purified by filtering an Et₂O or petroleumether solution of the polymer through Celite and/or neutral alumina. ¹Hand ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data and GPC analysis are consistent with theformation of random copolymers. In addition to the polyethyleneresonances, the following resonances diagnostic of acrylateincorporation were observed:

Methyl Acrylate

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 3.64 (s, OMe), 2.28 (t, J=7.48, OCH₂), 1.58(m, OCH₂CH₂); ¹³C NMR (C₆D₆, 100 MHz) δ 176 (C(O)), 50.9 (C(O)OMe).

Fluorinated Octyl Acrylate (FOA 3M Co. Minneapolis. Minn.)

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 4.58 (t, J=13.51, OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃), 2.40 (t,J=7.32, C(O)CH₂), 1.64 (m, C(O)CH₂CH₂); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz) δ 172.1(C(O)), 59.3 (t, J_(CF)=27.0, OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃).

Catalyst (R), conc. Acrylate, Rxn % Acry- # CH3/ (10⁻³ conc. Time Yieldlate Inc. 1000 Ex. Molar) (Molar) (h) (g) mol %/wt % CH₂ M_(w) M_(n) PDI191 Me, 2.3 0 Me, 6.7  24^(a) ≈0.5 10.9/ 134 27.3 192 Me, 1.4 0 Me, 1.148 3.94 2.7/ 114 77000 56400 1.4^(b) 7.84 193 Me, 2.0 FOA, .74 24 27.50.80/ 110 11.58 194 Me, 2.0 FOA, 1.3 24 20.7 0.80/ 126 11.58 195 H, 2.0FOA, .74 24 1.49 0.31/ 144 4.85 196 2.0^(c) FOA, .74 24 2.00 0.71/ 13510.73 ^(a)Final 3 h at 50° C. ^(b)THF, PMMA standards. ^(c)Catalyst is{[(2,6-i-PrPh)DABAn]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃)}BAF⁻

Examples 197-203

In Examples 197-203, structures of the type represented by (VI) and (IX)are described.

Example 197 {[(2.6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(H₂C═CH₂)}BAF⁻ and{[(2.6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(P)H₂C═CH₂)}BAF⁻

In a drybox under an argon atmosphere, an NMR tube was charged with˜0.01 mmol of ({[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe}₂(μ-Cl)>BAF⁻/[(Na (OEt₂)₂BAFor NaBAF] or {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF⁻. The tube was thencapped with a septum, removed from the drybox, and cooled to −78° C. Viagastight syringe, 700 μL of CD₂Cl₂ was then added to the NMR tube andthe septum was wrapped with Parafilm. The tube was shaken very brieflyin order to dissolve the palladium complex. After acquiring a spectrumat −80° C., 1-10 equiv of olefin was added to the −78° C. solution viagastight syringe, ant the olefin was dissolved in the solution bybriefly shaking the NMR tube. The tube was then transferred to the coldNMR probe and spectra were acquired. This olefin complex was preparedfrom both precursors using one equiv of ethylene: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400MHz, −60° C.) δ 7.72 (s, 8, BAF:C_(o)), 7.54 (S, 4, BAF:C_(p)), 7.4-7.0(m, 6, H_(aryl)), 4.40 (s, 4, H₂C═CH₂), 3.38 (br m, 4, O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 2.69(septet, 2, J=6.73, CRMe₂), 2.63 (septet, 2, J=6.80, C′HMe₂), 2.34 and2.23 (s, 3 each, N═C(Me) —C′(Me)═N), 1.33 (d, 6, J=6.80, C′MeMe′), 1.25(d, 6, J=6.50, CHMeMe′), 1.14 (d, 6, J=7.00, CHMeMe′), 1.10 (br m, 6,O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 1.07 (d, 6, J=6.80, C′HMeMe′), 0.18 (PdMe); ¹³C NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, −60° C.) δ 180.3 and 174.7 (N═C—C′═N), 161.5 (q,J_(BC)=49.6, BAF:C_(ipso)), 143.3 and 141.7 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)) 134.4(BAF:C_(o)), 128.6 (Ar:C_(p)), 128.4 (q, J_(BC)=32.3, BAF:C_(m)), 127.7(Ar′:C_(p)), 124.7 and 124.4 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 117.3 (BAF:C_(p)), 91.7(J_(CH)=160.7, H₂C═CH₂), 65.8 (O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 28.9 (CHMe₂), 28.8 (C′HMe₂),24.1, 23.4, 22.9 and 22.7 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 21.7 and 21.5 (N═C(Me)═C′(Me)═N), 15.0 (OCH₂CH₃)₂), 4.3 (PdMe).

In the presence of 5 equiv of ethylene, chain growth was observed at−35° C. Spectral data for {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(p) (CH₂═CH₂)}BAF⁻[wherein P is as defined for (VI)] intermediates (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −35°C.) are reported in the following table:

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd[(CH₂)_(n)CH₃](H₂C ═CH₂)}⁺BAF⁻ H₂C═CH₂N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N Pd(CH₂)_(n)Me n mult. δ mult. δ mult. δ mult J δ 0 s4.42 s 2.35 s 2.24 s 0.22 2 s 4.36 s 2.37 s 2.22 t 7.00 0.39 4 s 4.36 s2.37 s 2.22 t 7.20 0.62

Addition of 15 more equiv of ethylene and warming to room temperatureleads to complete consumption of ethylene and the observance of a singleorganometallic species: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, 24.0° C.) δ 7.74 (s, 8,BAF:C_(o)), 7.19 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 2.85 (br m, 4, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 2.36and 2.23 (s, 3 each, N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 1.5-1.0 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′),1.29 (Pd(CH₂)_(n)CH₃), 0.89 (Pd(CH₂)_(n)CH₃).

Example 198 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(H₂C═CH₂)}BAF⁻ and{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd(P)(H₂C═CH₂)}BAF⁻

This olefin complex, {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(H₂C═CH₂)}BAF⁻, wasprepared following the procedure of example 197 by both of the analogoussynthetic routes used in example 197, using one equiv of ethylene: ¹HNMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −60° C.) δ 8.42 and 8.26 (s, 1 each,N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.72 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.54 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)),7.42-7.29 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 4.60 (s, H₂C═CH₂), 3.37 (q, 4, J=7.03,(O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 2.89 (septet, 2, J=6.71, CHMe₂), 2.76 (septet, 2, J=6.68,C′HMe₂), 1.35 (d, 6, J=6.72, C′HMeMe′), 1.29 (d, 6, J=6.79, CHMeMe′),1.15 (d, 6, J=6.72,CHMeMe′), 1.09 (d, 6, J=6.54, C′HMeMe′), 1.15 (t, 6,J=7.34, O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 0.46 (S. 3, PdMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −60°C.) δ 167.7 (J_(CH)=182, N═C(H)), 162.8 (J_(CH)=182, N═C′ (H)), 161.4(q, J=49.8, BAF:C_(ipso)), 140.2 and 139.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 138.6 and137.3 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 134.4 (BAF:C_(o)), 129.2 and 129.1 (Ar,Ar′:C_(p)), 128.3 (q, J_(CF)=32.2, BAF: C_(m)), 124.3 and 124.0 (Ar,Ar′:C_(m)), 124.2 (q, J_(CF)=272.5; BAF:CF₃), 117.3(BAF:C_(p)), 92.7(J_(CH)=162.5, H₂C═CH₂), 65.8 (O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 28.9 and 28.7 (CHMe₂ andC′HMe₂), 25.1, 24.0, 22.0 and 21.9 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 15.12(J_(CH)=139.2, PdMe), 15.09 (O(CH₂CH₃)₂).

In the presence of 10 equiv of ethylene, chain growth was monitored at−35° C. Diagnostic ¹H NMR spectral data (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −35° C.) forthe second title compound are reported in the following table:

{[(2,6-i-Prph)₂DABH₂]Pd[(CH₂)_(n)CH₃](H₂C═CH₂)}⁺BAF⁻ N═C(H)—C′(H)═NH₂C═CH₂ Pd(CH₂)_(n)Me n mult. δ mult. δ mult. δ mult J δ  0^(a) s 8.42 s8.27 br s 4.6 s 0.50  2^(b) s 8.41 s 8.24 br s 4.6 t 7.85 0.36 4 s 8.41s 8.24 br s 4.6 t 7.15 0.62 6 s 8.41 s 8.24 br s 4.6 t 7.25 0.76 >6  s8.41 s 8.24 br s^(c) 4.6 m 0.85^(d) ^(a)For n =0: δ 2.91 and 2.71(septet, 2 each, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 1.38, 1.32, 1.18 and 1.12 (d, 6 each,CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′). ^(b)For n >0: δ 2.91 and 2.71 (septet, 2 each,CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 1.37, 1.35, 1.16 and 1.11 (d, 6 each, CHMeMe′,C′HMeMe′). ^(c)In the absence of free ethylene, bound ethylene appearsas a sharp singlet at 4.56 ppm. ^(d)δ 1.27 (Pd(CH₂)_(n)CH₃).

After the ethylene was consumed at −35° C., the sample was cooled to−95° C. Broad upfield multiplets were observed at −7.2 to −7.5 ppm and−8.0 to −8.5 ppm. The sample was then warmed to room temperature and aspectrum was acquired. No olefins were detected, the upfield multipletswere no longer observable, and a single organometallic species waspresent: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, 19.80° C.) δ 8.41 and 8.28 (s, 1 each,N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.72 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.56 (s, 4, BAF: H_(p)), 3.09(m, 4, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 1.35, 1.32, 1.26 and 1.22 (d, 6 each, J=6.5-6.8,CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 1.27 (Pd(CH₂)_(n)CH₃), 0.88 (Pd(CH₂)_(n)CH₃).

A second spectrum was acquired 12 minutes later at room temperature.Substantial decomposition of the organometallic species was observed.

Example 199 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(H₂C═CH₂)}BAF⁻

This olefin complex, {[(2,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(H₂C═CH₂)}BAF⁻, was preparedfollowing the procedure in example 197, using{[(2,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF⁻ and one equiv of ethylene: ¹H NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, −70° C.) δ 8.46 and 8.31 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N),7.72 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.52 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.4-6.4 (m, 6,H_(aryl)), 4.56 (s, 4, H₂C═CH₂), 2.19 and 2.16 (s, 6 each, Ar, Ar′:Me),0.31 (s, 3, PdMe).

In the presence of 10 equiv of ethylene (eq 3), olefin insertion wasmonitored at −30° C. and the production of cis- and trans-2-butenes wasobserved.

Example 200 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(H₂C═CHMe)}BAF⁻

This olefin complex, {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(H₂C═CHMe)}BAF, wasprepared following the procedure of Example 197, using{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF⁻ and one equiv of propylene: ¹H NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −61° C.) δ 7.73 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.55 (s, 4,BAF:H_(p)), 7.4-7.0 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 5.00 (m, 1 H₂C═CHMe), 4.24.(d, 1,J=9.1, HH′C═CHMe), 4.23 (d, 1, J=14.8, HH′C═CHMe), 3.38 (br q, 4,J=6.50, O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 2.84 (septet, 1, J=6.5, Ar:CHMe₂), 2.68 (m, 3,Ar:C′HMe₂; Ar′:CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 2.32and 2.22 (s, 3 each,N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 1.63 (d, 3, J=6.40, H₂C═CHMe), 1.35, 1.30, 1.25, 1.1,1.1, 1.04 (d, 3 each, J=,6.4-6.7, Ar:C′HMeMe′; Ar′:CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′),1.24 and 1.1 (d, 3 each, J=6.4, Ar:CHMeMe′), 1.1 (m, 6, O(CH₂CH₃)₂),0.28 (PdMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, −61° C.) δ 179.9 and 174.7(N═C—C′═N), 161.5 (q, J_(BC)=49.7, BAF:C_(ipso)), 138.8, 137.9, 137.8,137.7, 137.0 and 136.9 (Ar:C_(ipso), C_(o), C_(o)′; Ar′:C_(ipso), C_(o),C_(o)′); 134.4 (BAF:C_(o)), 128.6 and 128.5 (Ar:C_(p), C_(p)′), 128.4(q, J_(CF)=31.6, BAF:C_(m)), 124.8, 124.7, 124.4 and 124.4 (Ar:C_(m),C_(m)′; Ar′:C_(m), C_(m)′), 124.2 (q, J_(CF)=272.5, BAF:CF₃), 117.3(BAF:C_(p)), 116.1 (J_(CH)=155.8, H₂C═CHMe), 85.6 (J_(CH)=161.4,H₂C═CHMe), 65.8 (O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 28.9, 28.7, 28.7, 28.7 (Ar:CHMe₂, C′HMe₂;Ar′:CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 24.5, 23.9, 23.5, 23.4, 22.9, 22.9, 22.8, 22.2,21.71, 21.65, 20.9 (H₂C═CHMe; Ar:CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′; Ar′:CHMeMe′,C′HMeMe′, N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 16.9 (J_(CH)=137.5, PdMe), 15.0(O(CH₂CH₃)₂).

Example 201 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(H₂C═CHMe)}BAF⁻ and{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd(P)(H₂C═CHMe)}BAF⁻

This olefin complex, {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(H₂C═CHMe)}BAF⁻, wasprepared following using both of the synthetic routes used in Example197, using one equiv of propylene: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −80° C.) δ8.40 and 8.24 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.72 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.53(s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.40-7.27 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 5.41 (br m, H₂C═CHMe),4.39 (d, 1, J=8.09, HH′C═CHMe), 4.14 (br d, 1, J=15.29, HH′C═CHMe), 3.10(br m, 1, CHMe₂), 2.87 (overlapping septets, 2, C′Me₂, C″HMe₂), 2.59 (brseptet, 1, C′″HMe₂), 1.64 (d, J=6.07, H₂C═CHMe), 1.39 and 1.03 (d, 3each, J=6.4, CHMeMe′), 1.27, 1.27, 1.14 and 1.1 (d, 3 each, J=5.9-6.7,C′HMeMe′, C″HMeMe′), 1.23 and 1.1 (d, 3 each, J=6.8, C′″HMeMe′), 0.47(PdMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, −80° C.) δ 167.1 (J_(CH)=181.6,N═C(H)), 163.0 (J_(CH)=182.1, N═C′(H)), 161.3 (q, J_(BC)=50.0,BAF:C_(ipso)), 140.5 and 140.0 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 138.5, 138.3, 137.7and 137.2 (Ar:C_(o), C_(o)′; Ar′:C_(o), C_(o)′), 134.2 (BAF:C_(o)),128.9 and 128.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 128.1 (q, J_(CF)=31.1, BAF:C_(m)),124.0 (q, J_(CF)=272.5, BAF: CF₃), 124.6, 123.8, 123.8 and 123.6(Ar:C_(m), C_(m)′; Ar′: C_(m), C_(m)′), 117.1 (BAF:C_(p)), 116.4(J_(CH)=160.3, H₂C═CHMe), 85.4 (J_(CH)=159.9, H₂C═CHMe), 65.7(O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 29.2, 28.7, 28.5 and 28.0 (Ar:CHMe₂, C′HMe₂; Ar′:CHMe₂,C′HMe₂), 26.0, 24.4, 24.03, 23.97, 23.7, 21.9, 21.8, 21.7 and 21.6(H₂C═CHMe; Ar:CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′; Ar′:CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 16.6(J_(CH)=142.1, PdMe), 15.0 (O(CH₂CH₃)₂).

In the presence of 10 equiv of propylene, chain growth was monitored at−20° C., thus enabling {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[(CHMeCH₂)Me](H₂C═CHMe)}BAF⁻, intermediates to be observed (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −20°C.):

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd((CHMeCH₂)_(n)Me)(H₂C═CHMe)}⁺BAF⁻ N═CHC′H═NHH′C═CHMe HH′C═CHMe C═CHMe (CHMeCH₂)_(n)Me n δ δ mult J δ mult J δ multδ mult J δ  0 8.40 8.26 d 14.4 4.25 d 8.6 4.47 m 5.45 s 0.59  1 8.388.24 d 14.4 3.98 d 7.4 4.25 m 5.55 t 7.1 0.51 >1 8.39 8.23 d 13.7 4.07 d8.0 4.41 m 5.42

Example 202

The compound {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(H₂C═CHCH₂Me)}BAF⁻ was made usingboth the synthetic methods described in Example 197, except 1-butene wasused. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −75° C.) δ 8.44 and 8.28 (s, 1 each,N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.74 (s, 8, BAF:C_(o)), 7.56 (s, 4, BAF:C_(p)), 7.5-7.2(m, 6, H_(aryl)), 5.4 (m, 1, H₂C═CHCH₂CH₃), 4.36 (d, 1, J=8.2,HH′C═CHCH₂CH₃), 4.13 (br m, 1, HH′C═CHCH₂CH₃), 3.14, 2.92, 2.92 and 2.62(m, 1 each, Ar, Ar′:CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 1.95 and 1.65 (m, 1 each,H₂C═CHCHH′CH₃), 1.5-1.0 (d, 3 each, Ar, Ar′:CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 0.60 (s,3, PdMe).

Isomerization to cis- and trans-2-butene began at −78° C. and wasmonitored at −15° C. along with chain growth. For Pd[P] species,formation of the 1-butene complex occurred selectively in the presenceof cis- and trans-2-butene. Consumption of all olefins was observed at20° C.

Examples 203 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(CH₃CH═CHCH₃)}BAF⁻

Experiments involving the reaction of the bispalladium(μ-Cl)compound/NaBAF (as in Example 197) with trans-2-butene and thebispalladium(μ-Cl) compound alone with cis-2-butene led to partialformation of the, corresponding olefin complexes. An equilibrium wasobserved between the ether adduct and the olefin adduct when a compoundof the type {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF⁻ was reacted with oneequiv of cis- or trans-2-butene. Addition of excess 2-butene led tocomplete formation of the olefin adduct. Chain growth, which wasmonitored at 0° C. to room temperature, led to complete consumption ofbutenes. Some butene isomerization occurred during the course of theoligomerization and small amounts of β-hydride elimination products(disubstituted internal olefins and trisubstituted olefins) wereobserved. Oligomer methylene and methyl groups were observed at 1.3 and0.8 ppm, respectively. Diagnostic ¹H NMR spectral data for the butenecomplexes follows:

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(trans-CH₃CH═CHCH₃)}BAF⁻. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400MHz, −39° C.) δ 8.43 and 8.29 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C(H)═N), 5.27 and 4.72(m, 1 each, CH₃CH═C′HCH₃), 0.73 (PdMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, −95°C.) δ 166.8 (J_(CH)=181.5, N═C(H)), 163.2 (J_(CH)=179.8, N═C′(H)), 161.2(q, J_(BC)=49.5, BAF:C_(ipso)), 141.3 and 139.9 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)),138.4, 138.2, 138.0 and 137.0 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o), C_(o)), 134.0 (BAF:C_(o)),128.74 and 128.71 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 128.0 (q, J_(CF)=31.9, BAF:C_(m)),125.4 (J_(CH)=150.0, free MeCH═CHMe), 123.8 (q, J_(CF)=272.5, BAF:CF₃),124.8, 123.7, 123.5 and 123.4 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o), C_(o)′), 117.0(BAF:C_(p)), 107.0 and 106.8 (J_(CH)˜152, MeCH═C′HMe), 65.6 (freeO(CH₂CH₃)₂), 29.5, 28.3, 27.6, 26.5, 24.1, 23.8, 23.6, 21.5, 21.3, 21.2,20.4, 19.9, 19.6, 17.9, 17.5 (Ar, Ar′:CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′; MeCH═C′HMe),17.7 (free MeCH═CHMe), 15.0 (PdMe), 14.7 (O(CH₂CH₃)₂).

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(cis-CH₃CH═CHCH₃)}BAF⁻. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400MHz, −75° C.) δ 8.37 and 8.25 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 5.18 (q, 2,CH₃CH═CHCH₃), 1.63 (d, 6, J=4.9, CH₃CH═CHCH₃), 0.47 (PdMe).

References for the synthesis of bis(oxazoline) ligands and theirtransition metal complexes: Corey, E. J.; Imai, N.; Zang, H. Y. J. Am.Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 728-729. Pfaltz, A. Acc. Chem. Res. 1993, 26,339-345, and references within.

Example 204 2,2-bis{2-[4(S)-methyl-1,3-oxazolinyl]}propane

(500 mg, 2.38 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL CH₂Cl₂ in a Schlenk tubeunder a N₂ atmosphere. This solution was added via cannula to asuspension of (1,2-dimethoxyethane)NiBr₂ (647 mg, 2.10 mmol) in 30 mL ofCH₂Cl₂. The solution was stirred for 18 hours. The solvent wasevaporated under reduced pressure. The product,2,2-bis{2-[4(S)-methyl-1,3-oxazolinyl]}propaneNi(Br₂), was washed with3×15 mL of hexane. The product was isolated as a purple powder (0.85 g,84% yield).

Example 205

The product of Example 204 (14.2 mg, 3.3×10⁻⁵ mol) and toluene (75 mL)were combined in a Schlenk flask under 1 atmosphere ethylene pressure.The solution was cooled to 0° C., and 3.0 mL of a 10% MAO (100 eq)solution in toluene was added. The resulting yellow solution was stirredfor 40 hours. The oligomerization was quenched by the addition of H₂Oand a small amount of 6 M HCl. The organic fraction was separated fromthe aqueous fraction, and the toluene was removed under reducedpressure. A colorless oil resulted (0.95 g of oligomer). Thisillustrates that polymerization may be effected by such Pd, Ni and/or Cobisoxazoline complexes which are substituted in both 4 positions of theoxazoline ring by hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl groups.

Example 206 [(COD)PdMe(NCMe)]⁺BAF⁻

To CODPdMeCl (100 mg, 0.37 mmol) was added a solution of acetonitrile(0.08 mL, 1.6 mmol) in 25 mL CH₂Cl₂. To this colorless solution wasadded Na⁺BAF⁻ (370 mg, 0.4 mmol). A white solid immediatelyprecipitated. The mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 2 hours. Thesolution was concentrated and filtered. Removal of solvent under reducedpressure resulted in a glassy solid. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂) δ 5.78 (mult, 2H),δ 5.42 (mult, 2H), δ 2.65 (mult, 4H), δ 2.51 (9mult, 4H), δ 2.37 (s, 3H,NCMe), δ 1.19 (s, 3H, Pd—Me), δ 7.72 (s, 8, BAF⁻, H_(o)) δ 7.56 (s, 4,BAF⁻, H_(p)).

Example 207

[2,6-(i-Pr)₂PhDABH₂]NiBr₂ (10 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol), toluene (13 mL), and1-hexene (38 mL) were combined in a Schlenk flask under an argonatmosphere. A 10% MAO solution (1.5 mL, 100 eq) in toluene was added toa suspension of the diimine nickel dihalide. The resulting purplesolution was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The polymerizationwas quenched and the polymer precipitated from acetone. The resultingcolorless polymer was dried in vacuo (2.5 g). GPC (toluene, polystyrenestandards) M_(n)=330,000; M_(w)=590,000; M_(n)/M_(w)=1.8.

Example 208

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ (10 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) was added to a solutionwhich contained toluene (30 mL) and 1-octene (20 mL). A 10% solution ofMAO (1.5 mL, 100 eq) in toluene was added. The resulting purple solutionwas allowed to stir for 4 hours at room temperature. Solution viscosityincreased over the duration of the polymerization. The polymer wasprecipitated from acetone and dried in vacuo resulting in 5.3 g ofcopolymer. M_(n)=15,200; M_(w)=29,100; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.92.

Example 209

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni(CH₃)₂ (20 mg, 4.1×10⁻⁵ mol) and MAO (35.7 mg,15eq) were combined as solids in an NMR tube. The solid mixture wascooled to −78° C. and dissolved in 700 μL of CD₂Cl₂; While cold, 10 μLof ether d¹⁰ was added to stabilize the incipient cation. ¹H NMRspectrum were recorded at 253, 273, and 293° K. It was apparent that thestarting nickel dimethyl complex was disappearing and a new nickelcomplex(es) was being formed. Activation of the dimethyl complex wasoccurring through methane loss (s, δ 0.22). After 2 hours at 293° K allof-the starting species had disappeared. To test for ethylenepolymerization activity, 5000 μL (10eq) of ethylene was added via gastight syringe to the solution at −78° C. The consumption of ethylene wasmonitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The onset of ethylene uptake wasobserved at 223° K and all of the ethylene was consumed upon warming theprobe to 293° K. The persistence of the Ni—Me signal during theexperiment suggests that under these conditions propagation is fasterthan initiation. Solid polyethylene was observed upon removing the NMRtube from the probe.

Example 210

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (12 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) was combined withtoluene (50 mL) and 1-hexene (25 mL) under a N₂ atmosphere. Et₂AlCl(0.01 mL, 10 eq) was added to the polymerization mixture. The resultingpurple solution was allowed to stir for 4 hours. After 4 hours thepolymerization was quenched and the polymer precipitated from acetone.The polymerization yielded 2.05 g poly(l-hexene)(731 TO). (GPC, toluene,polystyrene standards) M_(n)=305,000; M_(w)=629,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.05.T_(g)=−57° C., T_(m)=52° C. T_(m)=−57° C., T_(g)=−20° C. ¹H NMR (C₆D₅Cl,142° C.) 10 methyls per 100 carbons. This number is significantly lessthan would be expected for strictly atactic 1-hexene.

Example 211

Concentration dependence on catalyst activity in nickel catalyzedpolymerization of α-olefins. A series of homopolymerizations of 1-hexenewere run at 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 75% 1-hexene by volume. In eachof the above cases 10 mg of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ was taken up intoluene and 1-hexene (50 mL total volume ¹-hexene+toluene). All of thepolymerizations were run at 25° C. and activated by the addition of 1.5mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene. The polymerizations were stirredfor 1 hour and quenched upon the addition of acetone. The polymer wasprecipitated from acetone and dried in vacuo. 10% by volume 1-hexeneyielded 2.5 g poly(1-hexene), 15% by volume 1-hexene yielded 2.6 gpoly(1-hexene), 20% by volume 1-hexene yielded 3.0 g poly(1-hexene), 30%by volume 1-hexene yielded 2.6 g poly(1-hexene), 40% by volume 1-hexeneyielded 2.6 g poly(1-hexene), 75% by volume 1-hexene yielded 2.5 gpoly(1-hexene).

Example 212

FeCl₂ (200 mg, 1.6 mmol) and 20 ml of CH₂Cl₂ were combined in a Schlenkflask under an argon atmosphere. In a separate flask, 550 mg(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ and 20 ml CH₂Cl₂ were combined, resulting in ayellow solution. The ligand solution was slowly (2 hr) transferred viacannula into the suspension of FeCl₂. The resulting solution was stirredat 25° C. After 4 hr. the solution was separated from the unreactedPeCl₂ by filter cannula (some purple solid was also left behind). Thesolvent was removed in vacuo to give a purple solid (0.53 g, 71% yield).A portion of the purple solid was combined with 50 ml of toluene under 1atm of ethylene. The solution was cooled to 0° C., and 6 ml of a 10% MAOsolution in toluene was added. The mixture was warmed to 25° C. andstirred for 18 hr. The polymer was precipitated by acetone, collected bysuction filtration, and washed with 6M HCl, water and acetone. The whitepolymer was dried under reduced pressure. Yield 13 mg.

Example 213

A 58-mg (0.039-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}BAF⁻ was placed in a 600-mLstirred autoclave under nitrogen with 150 mL of deaerated water. Thismixture was pressurized to 5.5 MPa with ethylene and was stirred at 23°C. for 68 hr. When the ethylene was vented, the autoclave was found tobe full of rubbery polymer: on top was a layer of white, fluffyelastomeric polyethylene, while beneath was gray, dense elastomericpolyethylene. The water was poured out of the autoclave; it was a hazylight blue, containing a tiny amount of emulsified polyethylene;evaporation of the whole aqueous sample yielded a few mg of material.The product was dried under high vacuum to yield 85.5 g of amorphouselastomeric polyethylene, which exhibited a glass transition temperatureof −61° C. and a melting endotherm of −31° C. (16 J/g) by differentialscanning calorimetry. H-1 NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 105 methyl carbons per1000 methylene carbons. Gel permeation chromatography (trichlorobenzene,135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=42,500; M_(w)=529,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=12.4. This example demonstrates the use of pure water as apolymerization medium.

Example 214

A 73-mg (0.049 mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}BAF⁻ was placed in a 600-mLstirred autoclave under nitrogen with 150 mL of deaerated water; to thiswas added 3.1 mL (3.3 g) of Triton® X-100 nonionic surfactant. Thismixture was pressurized to 5.8 MPa with ethylene and was stirred at 23°C. for 17 hr. When the ethylene was vented, most of the emulsion cameout the valve due to foaming; it was caught in a flask. There waspolymer suspended in the emulsion; this was filtered to give, after MeOHand acetone washing and air-drying, 2.9 g of amorphous polyethylene as afine, gray rubber powder. The filtrate from the suspended polymer was aclear gray solution; this was concentrated on a hot plate to yieldrecovered Triton® X-100 and palladium black. There was no polymer in theaqueous phase. The elastomeric polyethylene product exhibited a glasstransition temperature of −50° C. and a melting endotherm of 48° C. (5J/g) by differential scanning calorimetry. H-1 NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 90methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. Gel permeation chromatography(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aspolyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=31,000;M_(w)=311,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=10.0. This example demonstrates the aqueousemulsion polymerization of ethylene in the presence of a non-ionicsurfactant.

Example 215

A 93-mg (0.110-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)CCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ was placed in a 600-mLstirred autoclave under nitrogen with 150 mL of deaerated water; to thiswas added 0.75 g (1.4 mmol) of FC-95® anionic fluorosurfactant(potassium perfluorooctansulfonate). This mixture was pressurized to 5.1MPa with ethylene and was stirred at 23° C. for 15 hr. The ethylene wasvented; the product consisted of polymer suspended in emulsion as wellas some polymer granules on the wall of the autoclave; the emulsion wasfiltered to give, after MeOH and acetone washing and air-drying, 2.4 gof amorphous polyethylene as a fine, gray rubber powder. The hazyblue-gray aqueous filtrate was evaporated to yield 0.76 g of residue;hot water washing removed the surfactant to leave 0.43 g of dark brownsticky polyethylene rubber. H-1 NMR (CDCl₃) analysis: 98 CH₃'s per 1000CH₂'s. Differential scanning calorimetry: melting point: 117° C. (111J/g) glass transition: −31° C. (second heat; no apparent Tg on firstheat). This example demonstrates the aqueous emulsion polymerization ofethylene in the presence of a anionic surfactant. This example alsodemonstrates that a true aqueous emulsion of polyethylene can beobtained by emulsion polymerization of ethylene with these catalysts inthe presence of an appropriate surfactant.

Example 216

A 90-mg (0.106-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ was placed in a 600-mLstirred autoclave under nitrogen with 150 mL of deaerated water; to thiswas added 0.75 g (2.1 mmol) of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide cationicsurfactant. This mixture was pressurized to 5.2 MPa with ethylene andwas stirred for 66 hr at 23° C. The ethylene was vented; the productconsisted of polymer suspended in a dark solution; this was filtered togive, after MeOH and acetone washing and air-drying, 0.13 g of amorphouspolyethylene as a tacky, gray rubber powder. There was no polymer in theaqueous phase. H-1 NMR (CDCl₃) analysis: 96 CH₃'s per 1000 CH₂'s.Differential scanning calorimetry: glass transition: −58° C.; meltingendotherms: 40°, 86°, 120° C. (total: 20 J/g). This example demonstratesthe aqueous emulsion polymerization of ethylene in the presence of acationic surfactant.

Example 217

An 87-mg (0.103-mmol) sample of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ was placed in a 600-mLstirred autoclave under nitrogen. To this was added 100 mL of dry,deaerated methyl acrylate containing 100 ppm of phenothiazine as afree-radical polymerization inhibitor. The autoclave was stirred andpressurized to 300 psig with ethylene over 5 min. The autoclave was thenpressurized to 600 psig with an additional 300 psig of carbon monoxide(300 psig E+300 psig CO=600 psig). The reaction was stirred for 20 hr at23° C. as the autoclave pressure dropped to 270 psig. The ethylene wasthen vented; the autoclave contained a yellow solution which wasconcentrated by rotary evaporation, taken up in methylene chloride,filtered, and again concentrated to yield 0.18 g of dark brown viscousoil. The product was washed with hot acetone to remove the browncatalyst residues and was held under high vacuum to yield 55 mg of acolorless, viscous liquid terpolymer. The infrared spectrum exhibitedcarbonyl absorbances at 1743 (ester), 1712 (ketone), and 1691 cm⁻¹. H-1NMR (CDCl₃) analysis: 76CH₃'s per 1000 CH₂; there were peaks at 2.3 (t,CH ₂COOR), 2.7 (m, CH ₂CO), and 3.66 ppm (COOCH ₃). The polymercontained 3.3 mol % MA (9.4 wt % MA). The carbon monoxide content wasnot quantified, but the absorbance in the infrared spectrum of thepolymer due to ketone was about ½ to ⅔ the absorbance due to acrylateester. This example demonstrates the use of carbon monoxide as amonomer.

Example 218

A 20-mg (0.035-mmol) sample of NiBr₂[2-NpCH═N(CH₂)₃N═CH-2-Np], whereNp=naphthyl, (see structure below) was magnetically stirred undernitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mL of dry deaerated, toluene.Then 0.6 mL of polymethylalumoxane (3.3M) was injected; the light pinksuspension became a dark gray-green solution, eventually with blackprecipitate. The mixture was immediately pressurized with ethylene to 7psig and was stirred at 23° C. for 18 hr, during which time the mixturebecame a clear yellow solution with black, sticky precipitate. Theethylene was vented; the offgas contained about 3% butenes (90:101-butene: trans-2-butene) by gas chromatography (30-m Quadrex GSQ®Megabore column; 50-250° C. at 10°/min). The toluene solution wasstirred with 6N HCl and methanol and was separated; concentration of thetoluene solution followed by acetone rinsing the residue yielded 85 mgof liquid polyethylene. H-1 NMR (CDCl₃) analysis: 209 CH₃'s per 1000CH₂'s. This example demonstrates the efficacy of a catalyst with abis-imine ligand in which the imine groups are not alpha to one another.

Example 219

A 17-mg (0.027-mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]ZrCl₄ wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry, deaerated toluene. Then 0.6 mL of polymethylalumoxane (3.3M) wasinjected; the yellow suspension became an orange-yellow solution. Themixture was pressurized with ethylene to 7 psig and was stirred at 23°C. for 20 hr, during which time polymer slowly accumulated on the stirbar and eventually rendered the solution unstirrable. The toluenesolution was stirred with 6N HCl and methanol and was filtered to yield(after MeOH and acetone washing and air-drying) 1.01 g of white, fluffypolyethylene. Differential scanning calorimetry exhibited a meltingpoint of 131° C. (124 J/g). This example demonstrates the efficacy of aZr(IV) catalyst LU bearing a diimine ligand.

Example 220

A 14-mg (0.024-mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]TiCl₄ wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry, deareated toluene (distilled from Na under N₂). Then 0.6 mL ofpolymethylalumoxane (3.3M) was injected; the yellow suspension became adark brown suspension with some precipitate. The mixture was pressurizedwith ethylene to 7 psig and was stirred at 23° C. for 3 hr. during whichtime polymer accumulated and rendered the solution unstirrable. Thetoluene solution was stirred with 6N HCl and methanol and was filteredto yield, after MeOH and acetone washing and air-drying, 1.09 g ofwhite, fluffy polyethylene. Differential scanning calorimetry exhibiteda melting point of 131° C. (161 J/g). This example demonstrates theefficacy of a Ti(IV) catalyst bearing a diimine ligand.

Example 221

A 28-mg (0.046-mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]CoBr₂ wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry, deaerated toluene. Then 0.5 mL of polymethylalumoxane (3.3M) wasinjected, resulting in a deep purple solution, and the mixture waspressurized immediately with ethylene to 7 psig and stirred at 23° C.for 17 hr. The solution remained deep purple but developed someviscosity due to polymer. The ethylene was vented; the offgas contained1.5%.

1-butene by gas chromatography (30-m Quadrex GSQ® Megabore column;50-250° C. at 10°/min). The toluene solution was stirred with 6NHCl/methanol and was separated; concentration of the toluene solutionyielded, after drying under high vacuum, 0.18 g of elastomericpolyethylene. A film of polymer cast from chlorobenzene was stretchywith good elastic recovery. Differential scanning calorimetry: glasstransition: −41° C.; melting endotherm: 43° C. (15 J/g). This exampledemonstrates the efficacy of a cobalt (II) catalyst bearing a diimineligand.

Example 222

A 35-mg (0.066-mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]FeCl₂ wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry, deaerated toluene. Then 0.6 mL of polymethylalumoxane (3.3M) wasinjected; the deep purple-blue solution became a royal purple solution,which evolved to deep green-black over time. The mixture was immediatelypressurized with ethylene to 7 psig and was stirred at 23° C. for 70 hr,during which time the mixture became a pale green solution with black,sticky precipitate. The ethylene was vented; the toluene solution wasstirred with 6N HCl and methanol and was filtered to yield 90 mg ofpolyethylene.

Differential scanning calorimetry: melting endotherm: 128° C. (84 J/g ).This example demonstrates the efficacy of a iron (II) catalyst bearing adiimine ligand.

Example 223

A mixture of 3.2 g of the polyethylene product of Example 96, 60 mg (1.9wt %) of dicumyl peroxide, and 50 g (1.6 wt %) of triallylisocyanurate(TAIC) was dissolved in 100 mL of THF. The polymer was precipitated bystirring the solution in a blender with water; the peroxide and TAIC arepresumed to have stayed in the polymer. The polymer was pressed into aclear, rubbery, stretchy film at 125° C. Strips of this film weresubsequently pressed at various temperatures (100° C., 150° C., 175° C.,200° C.) for various times (1 min, 5 min, 10 min) to effectperoxide-induced free-radical crosslinking. The cured sheets were allclear and stretchy and shorter-breaking: 100° C. for 10 min gave noapparent cure, while 150° C./5 min seemed optimal. The cured films camecloser to recovering their original dimensions than the uncured films.This example demonstrates peroxide curing of the amorphous elastomericpolyethylene.

Example 224

A 28-mg (0.050-mmol) sample of TiCl₄[2-NpCH═N(CH₂)₂N═CH-2-Np], whereNp=naphthyl, (see structure below) was magnetically stirred undernitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mL of dry, deaerated toluene.Then 0.6 mL of polymethylalumoxane (3.3M) was injected; the orangesuspension became reddish-brown. The mixture was immediately pressurizedwith ethylene to 7 psig and was stirred at 23° C. for 66 hr. The toluenesolution was stirred with 6N HCl and methanol and was filtered to yield,after methanol washing and air-drying, 1.30 g of white, fluffypolyethylene.

Differential scanning calorimetry: melting endotherm: 135° C. (242 J/g).

This example demonstrates the efficacy of a catalyst with a bis-imineligand in which the imine groups are not alpha to one another.

Example 225

A 33-mg (0.053-mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]ScCl₃-THF wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry, deaerated toluene. Then 0.6 mL of polymethylalumoxane (3.3M) wasinjected; the pale orange solution became bright yellow. The mixture wasimmediately pressurized with ethylene to 7 psig and was stirred at 23°C. for 17 hr, during which time the mixture remained yellow and granularsuspended polymer appeared. The ethylene was vented; the toluenesolution was stirred with 6N HCl and methanol and was filtered to yield2.77 g of white, granular polyethylene. This example demonstrates theefficacy of a scandium (III) catalyst bearing a diimine ligand.

Example 226 (2-t-BuPh)2DABAN

This compound was made by a procedure similar to that of Example 25.Three mL (19.2 mmol) of 2-t-butylaniline and 1.71 g (9.39 mmol) ofacenaphthenequinone were partially dissolved in 50 mL of methanol(acenaphthenequinone was not completely soluble). An orange product wascrystallized from CH2Cl2 (3.51 g, 84.1%). 1H NMR (CDCl3, 250 MHz)d 7.85(d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, BIAN:Hp), 7.52 (m, 2H, Ar:Hm), 7.35 (dd, 2H, J=8.0,7.3 Hz, BIAN:Hm), 7.21 (m, 4H, Ar:Hm and Hp), 6.92 (m, 2H, Ar:Ho), 6.81(d, 2H, J=6.9 Hz, BIAN:Ho), 1.38 (s, 18H, C(CH3)3).

Example 227

Methyl vinyl ketone was stirred over anhydrous K₂CO₃ and vacuumtransferred on a high vacuum line to a dry flask containingphenothiazine (50 ppm). Ethylene and methyl vinyl ketone (5 ml) werecopolymerized according to Example 16 using catalyst{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g, 0.10 mmol)to give 0.46 g copolymer (0.38 g after correcting for catalyst residue).¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): 0.75-0.95(m, CH₃); 0.95-1.45(m, CH and CH₂); 1.55(m, —CH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃); 2.15(s, —CH₂CH₂C(O)CH ₃); 2.4(t, —CH₂CH ₂CH₂C(O)CH₃).Based on the triplet at 2.15, it appears that much of the ketonefunctionality is located on the ends of hydrocarbon branches.Integration shows that the copolymer contains 2.1 mole % methyl vinylketone, and 94 methyl carbons (exclusive of methyl ketones) per 1000methylene carbons. The turnover numbers are 128 equivalents of ethyleneand 3 equivalents of methyl vinyl ketone per Pd. GPC (THF, PMMAstandard): M_(n)=5360 Mw=7470 Mw/Mn=1.39.

Example 228

A Schlenk flask containing 122 mg (0.0946 mmol) of{[(4-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(N≡CMe)}⁺BAF⁻ was placed under a CO atmosphere.The yellow powder turned orange upon addition of CO, and subsequentaddition of 20 mL of CH₂Cl₂ resulted in the formation of a clear redsolution. t-Butylstyrene (10 mL) was added next and the resulting orangesolution was stirred for 25.7 h at room temperature. The solution wasthen added to methanol in order to precipitate the polymer, which wascollected by filtration and dried in a vacuum oven at 50° C. overnight(yield=4.03 g): GPC Analysis (THF, polystyrene standards): M_(w)=8,212;M_(n)=4,603; PDI=1.78. The ¹H NMR spectrum (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) of theisolated polymer was consistent with a mixture of copolymer andpoly(t-butylstyrene).

Mixtures of alternating copolymer and poly(t-butylstyrene) were obtainedfrom this and the following polymerizations and were separated byextraction of the homopolymer with petroleum ether. When R² and R⁵ were4-MePh (this example) atactic alternating copolymer was isolated. WhenR² and R⁵ were 2,6-i-PrPh (Example 229) predominantly syndiotacticalternating copolymer was isolated. (Spectroscopic data for atactic,syndiotactic, and isotactic t-butylstyrene/CO alternating copolymers hasbeen reported: M. Brookhart, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114,5894-5895; M. Brookhart, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116,3641-3642.)

Petroleum ether (˜200 mL)was added to the polymer mixture in order toextract the homopolymer, and the resulting suspension was stirredvigorously for several h. The suspension was allowed to settle, and thepetroleum ether solution was decanted off of the gray powder. The powderwas dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and the resulting solution was filtered throughCelite. The CH₂Cl₂ was then removed and the light gray powder (0.61 g)was dried in vacuo. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data are consistentwith the isolation of atactic alternating copolymer: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300MHz) δ 7.6-6.2 (br envelope, 4, H_(aryl)), 4.05 and 3.91 (br, 1, CHAr′),3.12 and 2.62 (br, 2, CH₂), 1.26-1.22 (br envelope, 9, CMe₃); ¹³C NMR(CDCl₃, 75 MHz) δ 207.5-206.0 (br envelope, —C(O)—), 150.0-149.0 (br,Ar′:C_(p)), 135.0-133.8 (br envelope, Ar′:C_(ipso)) 127.9 (Ar′:C_(m)),126.0-125.0 (br, Ar′:C_(o)), 53.0-51.0 (br envelope, CHAr′), 46.0-42.0(br envelope, CH₂), 34.3 (CMe₃), 31.3 (CMe₃).

Example 229

The procedure of Example 228 was followed using 134 mg (0.102 mmol){[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(N≡CMe)}⁺BAF⁻. A mixture (2.47 g) of copolymerand poly(t-butylstyrene) was isolated. GPC Analysis (THF, polystyrenestandards): M_(w)=10,135; M_(n)=4,922; PDI=2.06. Following theextraction of the homopolymer with petroleum ether, 0.49 g of off-whitepowder was isolated. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data are consistentwith the isolation of predominantly syndiotactic copolymer, althoughminor resonances are present: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 7.20 (d, 2,J=8.14, Ar′:H_(o) or H_(m)), 6.87 (d, 2, J=7.94, Ar′:H_(o) or H_(m)),3.91 (dd, 1, J=9.06, 3.16, CHAr′), 3.15 (dd, 1, J=18.02, 9.96, CHH′),2.65 (dd, 1, J=17.90, CHH′), 1.25 (8, 9, CMe₃); 13C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz)δ 207.0 (—C(O)—), 149.8 (Ar′:C_(p)), 134.5 (Ar′:C_(ipso)), 127.8 (Ar′:C_(m)), 125.6 (Ar′:C_(o)), 51.7 (CHAr′), 45.6 (CH₂), 34.3 (CMe₃), 31.3(CMe₃).

Example 230

A Schlenk flask containing 74.3 mg (0.0508 mmol) of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}⁺BAF⁻ was evacuated, cooled to −78° C.and then placed under an atmosphere of ethylene/CO (1:1 mixture).Following the addition of 50 mL of chlorobenzene, the reaction mixturewas allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred. A small amount ofwhite precipitate appeared on the sides of the flask after 0.5 h andmore precipitate formed during the next two days. After stirring for47.2 h, the reaction mixture was added to methanol and the resultingsuspension was stirred. The precipitate was then allowed to settle, andthe methanol was decanted, leaving behind a cream powder (0.68 g), whichwas dried in a vacuum oven at 70° C. for one day. ¹H and 13C NMRspectroscopic data are consistent with the isolation of an alternatingcopolymer of ethylene and carbon monoxide: ¹H NMR(CDCl₃/pentafluorophenol, 400 MHz) δ 2.89 (—C(O)—CH₂CH₂—C(O)—); ¹³C NMR(CDCl₃/pentafluorophenol, 100 MHz) δ 212.1 (—C(O)—), 35.94 (CH₂).

For comparisons of the spectroscopic data of alternating E/CO copolymersherein with literature values, see for example: E. Drent, et al., J.Organomet. Chem. 1991, 417, 235-251.

Example 231

A Schlenk flask containing 73.2 mg (0.0500 mmol) of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}⁺BAF⁻ was evacuated, cooled to −78° C.,and then back-filled with ethylene (1 atm). Chlorobenzene (50 mL) wasadded via syringe and the solution was allowed to warm to roomtemperature. After 0.5 h, the reaction vessel was very warm and ethylenewas being rapidly consumed. The reaction flask was then placed in aroom-temperature water bath and stirring was continued for a total of 3h. A very viscous solution formed. The atmosphere was then switched toethylene/carbon monoxide (1:1 mixture, 1 atm) and the reaction mixturewas stirred for 47.7 more hours. During this time, the solution becameslightly more viscous. The polymer was then precipitated by adding thechlorobenzene solution to methanol. The methanol was decanted off of thepolymer, which was then partially dissolved in a mixture of Et₂O, CH₂Cl₂and THF. The insoluble polymer fraction (2.71 g) was collected on asintered glass frit, washed with chloroform, and then dried in a vacuumoven at 70° C. for 12 h. The NMR spectroscopic data of the gray rubberymaterial are consistent with the formation of a diblock of branchedpolyethylene and linear poly(ethylene-carbon monoxide): ¹H NMR(CDCl₃/pentafluorophenol, 400 MHz) δ 2.85 (—C(O)CH₂CH₂C(O)—), 2.77(—C(O)CH₂, minor), 1.24 (CH₂), 0.83 (CH₃); Polyethylene Block Branching:˜103 CH₃ per 1000 CH₂; Relative BlockLength[(CH₂CH₂)_(n)—(C(O)CH₂CH₂)_(m)]: n/m=2.0. ¹³C NMR(CDCl₃/pentafluorophenol, 100 MHz; data for ethylene-CO block) δ 211.6(—C(O)—), 211.5 (—C(O)—, minor), 35.9 (C(O)—CH₂CH₂—C(O)), 35.8 (C(O)CH₂,minor).

Example 232

A Schlenk flask containing 75.7 mg (0.0527 mmol) of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(OEt₂) }⁺BAF⁻ was evacuated, cooled to −78° C.,and then back-filled with ethylene (1 atm). Chlorobenzene (50 mL) wasadded via syringe, the solution was allowed to warm to room temperatureand stirred for 3 h. The solution did not become warm or viscous duringthis time. The atmosphere was changed to ethylene/carbon monoxide (1:1mixture, 1 atm) and the solution was stirred for 47.7 more hours. Duringthis time, the reaction mixture became quite viscous and solvent-swollenpolymer precipitated on the sides of the flask. The polymer wasprecipitated by addition of the reaction mixture to methanol. Themethanol was decanted off of the rubbery polymer (4.17 g), which wasthen dried in a vacuum oven for one day at 70° C. Chloroform was thenadded to the polymer and the rubbery insoluble fraction (0.80 g) wascollected on a sintered glass frit. A ¹H NMR spectrum (CDCl₃, 400 MHz)of the chloroform-soluble polymer showed no carbon monoxideincorporation; only branched polyethylene was observed. NMRspectroscopic data for the chloroform-insoluble fraction was consistentwith the formation of a diblock of branched polyethylene and linearpoly(ethylene-carbon monoxide): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃/pentafluorophenol, 400MHz) δ 2.88 (C(O)CH₂CH₂C(O)), 1.23 (CH₂), 0.83 (CH₃); Polyethylene BlockBranching: 132 CH₃ per 1000 CH₂; Relative BlockLength[(CH₂CH₂)_(n)—(C(O)CH₂CH₂)_(m)]: n/m=0.30; ¹³C NMR(CD₂Cl₂/pentafluorophenol, 100 MHz; data for ethylene-CO block) δ 211.3(—C(O)—), 211.3 (—C(O)—, minor), 36.5 (—C(O)CH₂CH₂C(O)—), 36.4 (C(O)CH₂,minor).

Example 233

A 34-mg (0.053-mmol) sample of the crude product of Example 235, wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry, deaerated toluene. Then 0.6 mL of polymethylalumoxane (3.3M) wasinjected; the purple-pink suspension became a gold-green solution withblack precipitate. The mixture was pressurized with ethylene to 152 kPa(absolute) and was stirred for 20 hr. Within the first hour, polymer wasobserved to be accumulating on the stir bar and the walls of the flask.The ethylene was vented and the toluene solution was stirred with. 6NHCl and methanol and was filtered to yield (after MeOH and acetonewashing and air-drying) 1.37 g of white, granular polyethylene. Thisexample demonstrates the efficacy of a catalyst with a 1,3-diimineligand.

Example 234 Synthesis of MeC(═N-2,6-C₆H₃-iPr₂)CH═C(NH-2,6-C₆H₃-iPr₂)Me

Concentrated HCl (0.3 ml, 3.6 mmol) was added to a solution of2,4-pentanedione (1.2 g, 12 mmol) and 2,6-diisopropylaniline (5.0 ml,26.6 mmol) in 15 ml ethanol. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 21 hduring which time a white solid precipitated. This was separated byfiltration, dried under vacuum and treated with saturated aqueous sodiumbicarbonate. The product was extracted with methylene chloride, and theorganic layer dried overanhydrous sodium sulfate. Removal of the solventafforded 1.43 g (28%) of the title compound as a white crystallineproduct; mp: 140-142° C.; ¹H NMR: (CDCl₃) δ 12.12 (bs,1 H, NH), 7.12 (m,6 H, aromatic), 4.84 (s, 1 H, C═CH—C), 3.10 (m, 4 H, isopropyl CH, J=7Hz), 1.72 (s, 6 H, CH₃), 1.22 (d, 12 H, isopropyl CH₃, J=7 Hz), 1.12 (d,12 H, isopropyl CH₃, J=7 Hz ). ¹³C NMR: (CDCl₃) δ 161.36 (C═N), 142.63(aromatic C-1), 140.89 (aromatic C-2), 125.27 (aromatic C-4), 123.21(aromatic C-3), 93.41 (—CH═), 28.43 (isopropyl CH), 24.49 (isopropylCH₃), 23.44 (isopropyl CH₃), 21.02 (CH₃). MS: m/z=418.333 (calc.418.335).

Example 235 Synthesis of an Ethylene Polymerization Catalyst fromNi(MeOCH₂CH₂OMe)Br₂ and MeC(═N-2,6-C₆H₃-iPr₂)CH═C(NH-2,6-C₆H₃-iPr₂)Me

Ni(MeOCH₂CH₂OMe)Br₂ (0.110 g, 0.356 mmol) andMeC(═N-2,6-C₆H₃-iPr₂)CH═C(NH-C₆H₃-iPr₂)Me (0.150 g, 0.359 mmol) werecombined in 10 mL of methylene chloride to give a peach-coloredsuspension. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight, during which time a lavender-colored powder precipitated.This was isolated by filtration, washed with petroleum ether and driedaffording 0.173 g of material. This compound was used as the catalyst inExample 233.

Example 236 {[(2.6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(MeCN)₂}(BF₄)₂

[Pd(MeCN)₄] (BF₄)₂ (0.423 g, 0.952 mmol) and (2,6-i-PrPh)2DABMe₂ (0.385g, 0.951 mmol) were dissolved in 30 mL acetonitrile under nitrogen togive an orange solution. The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature overnight; it was then concentrated in vacuo to afford ayellow powder. Recrystallization from methylene chloride/petroleum etherat −40° C. afforded 0.63 g of the title compound as a yellow crystallinesolid. 1H NMR (CD₂Cl₂) δ 7.51 (t, 2H, H_(para)), 7.34 (d, 4H, H_(meta)),3.22 (sept, 4H, CHMe₂), 2.52 (s, 6H, N═CMe), 1.95 (s, 6H, NC≡Me), 1.49(d, 12H, CHMe₂), 1.31 (d, 12H, CHMe₂).

Example 237

Ethylene Polymerization Catalyzed by{[(2.6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂[Pd(MeCN)₂}(BF₄)₂

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with a solution of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(MeCN)₂}(BF₄)₂ (0.043 g, 0.056 mmol) dissolvedin 50 mL chloroform and ethylene (2.8 MPa). The reaction mixture wasstirred under 2.8 MPa ethylene for 9 h 15 min. During this time, thetemperature inside the reactor increased from 23 to 27° C. The ethylenepressure was then vented and volatiles removed from the reaction mixtureto afford 1.65 g of a viscous yellow oil. This was shown by ¹H NMR to bebranched polyethylene containing 94 methyl-ended branches per 1000methylenes.

Example 238 Ethylene polymerization byNi(COD))₂/(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DARMe₂.HBAF(Et₂O)₂

Ni(COD)₂ (0.017 g, 0.06 mmol) and (2,6-i-rPh)₂DABMe₂.HBAF(Et₂O)₂ (0.085g, 0.06 mmol) were dissolved in 5 mL of benzene under nitrogen at roomtemperature. The resulting solution was quickly frozen, and then allowedto thaw under 6.9 MPa of ethylene at 50° C. The reaction mixture wasagitated under these conditions for 18 h affording a solvent swelledpolymer. Drying afforded 5.8 g of a polyethylene as a tough, rubberymaterial.

Example 239 Ethylene polymerization by Pd₂(dba)₃(dba=dibenzylideneacetone)/(2,6-i-PrPh)₂ DABME₂.HBAF (Et₂O)₂

A sample of (Et₂O).HBAF (200 mg, 0.20 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL ofEt₂O. To this solution was added 1 equivalent of DABMe₂ (or otherα-diimine). The solution became red. Removal of the volatiles in vacuogave a red solid of the acid-α-diimine complex.

Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.054 g, 0.06 mmol) and (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂.HBAF(Et₂O)₂(0.076 g, 0.05 mmol) were dissolved in 5 mL of benzene under nitrogen atroom temperature. The resulting solution was agitated under 6.9 MPa ofethylene at 50° C. for 18 h. The product mixture was concentrated todryness in vacuo, affording an extremely viscous oil. ¹H NMR showed theproduct to be branched polyethylene containing 105 methyl ended branchesper 1000 methylenes.

Example 240

Toluene (30 mL), 4-vinylcyclohexene (15 mL), and 20 mg of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ (0.03 mmol) were combined in a Schlenk flaskunder an atmosphere of ethylene. A 10% MAO solution (3 mL) in toluenewas added. The resulting purple solution was stirred for 16 h. Afteronly a few hours, polymer began to precipitate and adhere to the wallsof the flask. The polymerization was quenched and the polymerprecipitated from acetone. The polymer was dried in vacuo overnightresulting in 100 mg of a white solid. Characterization by proton NMRsuggests in corporation of 4-vinylcyclohexene as a comonomer. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 5.64 (m, vinyl, cyclohexene), 2.0-0.9 (overlapping m includingcyclohexyl methylene, methylene (PE), methine), 0.78 (methyl, PE). Thereare also some minor signals in the base line that suggests incorporationof the internal olefin (cyclohexene) and free a-olefin (4-vinyl).

Example 241

The catalyst {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}SbF₆ ⁻ (1.703 g,2 mmol) was added to a 1 gal Hastalloy® autoclave. The autoclave wassealed, flushed with nitrogen and then charged with 1500 g of SO₂. Anover pressure of 3.5 MPa of ethylene was maintained for 24 hr at 25° C.The autoclave was vented to relieve the pressure and the contents of theautoclave were transferred to a jar. The polymer was taken up inmethylene chloride and purified by precipitation into excess acetone.The precipitated polymer was dried in vacuo to give 2.77 g of polymer.The polymer displayed strong bands attributable to sulfonyl group in theinfrared (film on KEr plate) at 1160 and 1330 cm⁻¹.

Example 242 Copolymerizaton of Ethylene and Methyl Vinyl Ketone

Methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) was stirred over anhydrous K₂CO₃ and vacuumtransferred using a high vacuum line to a dry flask containingphenothiazine (50 ppm). Ethylene and MVK (5 ml) were copolymerized usingthe procedure of Example 125 using as catalyst{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃)SbF₆ ⁻ (0.084 g, 0.10 mmol) togive 0.46 g of copolymer (0.38 g after correcting for catalyst residue).¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 0.75-0.95 (m, CH₃); 0.95-1.45 (m, CH and CH₂); 1.55 (m,—CH ₂CH₂C(O)CH₃); 2.15 (s, —CH₂CH₂C(O)CH₃); 2.4 (t, —CH₂CH ₂C(O)CH₃).Based on the triplet at 2.15, it appeared that much of the ketonefunctionality was located on the ends of the hydrocarbon branches.Integration showed that the copolymer contained 2.1 mole % MVK, and has94 methyl carbon (exclusive of methyl ketones) per 1000 methyl carbonatoms. The turnover was 128 equivalents of ethylene and 3 equivalents ofMVK per Pd. GPC (THF, PMMA standard): Mn=5360, Mw=7470, Mw/Mn=1.39.

Example 243

1-Hexene (20 ml) was polymerized in methylene chloride (10 ml) accordingto example 173 to give 4.22 g of viscous gel (1002 equivalents 1-hexeneper Pd). Integration of the ¹H NMR spectrum showed 95 methyl carbons per1000 methylene carbons. ¹³C NMR quantitative analysis, branching per1000 CH2: Total methyls (103), Methyl (74.9), Ethyl(none detected),Propyl (none detected), Butyl (12.4), Amyl (none detected), ≧Hexyl andend of chains (18.1). Integration of the CH₂ peaks due to the structure—CH(R)CH₂CH(R′)—, where R is an alkyl group, and R′ is an alkyl groupwith two or more carbons showed that in 74% of these structures, R=Me.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR data TCB, 140C, 0.05 M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 42.6359 4.05957αα for Me & Et⁺ branches 37.8987 9.10141 MB₃ ⁺ 37.2833 64.4719 αβ₁36.8537 8.67514 35.5381 4.48108 34.8803 4.30359 34.5514 5.20522 34.275521.6482 33.2411 4.13499 MB₁ 32.9811 32.0944 MB₁ 31.9467 14.0714 3B₆+,3EOC 30.7212 5.48503 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 30.2597 28.5961 γ + γ + B, 3B₄30.143 50.4726 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 29.7717 248 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 29.342 17.4732γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 27.5702 27.2867 βγ for 2 Me branches 27.1935 49.5612 βγ +B, (4B₅, etc.) 27.045 23.1776 23.0292 9.56673 2B₄ 22.6526 14.1631 2B₅ ⁺,2EOC 20.2495 5.72164 1B₁ 19.7455 48.8451 1B₁ 13.9049 21.5008 1B₄+, 1EOC

Example 244

1-Heptene (20 ml) was polymerized in methylene chloride (10 ml)according to example 173 to give 1.29 g of viscous gel (263 equivalents1-heptene per Pd). Integration of the ¹H NMR spectrum showed 82 methylcarbons per 1000 methylene carbons. ¹³C NMR quantitative analysis,branching per 1000 CH2: Total methyls (85), Methyl (58.5), Ethyl(nonedetected), Propyl (none detected), Butyl (none detected), Amyl (14.1),≧Hexyl and end of chains (11.1). Integration of the CH₂ peaks due to thestructure —CH(R)CH₂CH(R′)—, where R is an alkyl group, and R′ is analkyl group with two or more carbons showed that in 71% of thesestructures, R=Me. DSC (two heats, −150→150° C., 15° C./min) showsTg=−42° C. and a Tm=28° C. (45 J/g)

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR data TCB, 120C, 0.05 M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 42.6041 5.16375αα for Me & Et⁺ 37.851 15.9779 MB₃ ⁺ 37.5963 7.67322 37.2356 99.6734 αB135.4956 7.58713 34.8219 6.32649 34.6097 6.37695 34.2278 37.6181 33.34183.78275 MB₁ 32.9228 60.7999 MB₁ 32.2809 13.6249 31.9148 21.2367 3B6⁺,3EOC 30.5886 13.8482 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 30.4613 22.1996 γ + γ + B, 3B₄30.2173 48.8725 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 30.1059 80.2189 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 29.7292496 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 29.3049 26.4277 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 27.1511 114.228 βγ⁺B₁(4B₅, etc.) 27.0025 47.5199 26.7267 20.4817 24.5623 3.32234 22.620736.4547 2B₅ ⁺, 2EOC 20.2176 7.99554 1B₁ 19.7084 70.3654 1B₁ 13.867736.1098 1B₄ ⁺, EOC

Example 245

1-Tetradecene (20 ml) was polymerized in methylene chloride (10 ml)according to example 173 to give 6.11 g of sticky solid (622 equivalents1-tetradecene per Pd). Integration of the ¹H NMR spectrum showed 64methyl carbons per 1000 methylene carbons. ¹³C NMR quantitativeanalysis, branching per 1000 CH2: Total methyls (66), Methyl (35.2),Ethyl(5.6), Propyl (1.2), Butyl (none detected), Amyl (2.1),

≧Hexyl and end of chains (22.8). Integration of the CH₂ peaks due to thestructure —CH(R)CH₂CH(R′)—, where R is an alkyl group, and R′ is analkyl group with two or more carbons showed that in 91% of thesestructures, R=Me. The region integrated for the structure where both Rand R′ are ≧Ethyl was 40.0 ppm to 41.9 ppm to avoid including a methinecarbon interference.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

¹³C NMR data TCB, 120C, 0.05 M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 39.2826 6.684MB₂ 37.8012 8.13042 MB₃ ⁺ 37.2171 24.8352 αβ₁, 3B₃ 34.1694 31.5295 αγ⁺B,(4B₄, 5B₅, etc.) MB₁ 33.6809 13.0926 αγ⁺B, (4B₄, 5B₅, etc.) MB₁ 32.900413.0253 MB₁ 31.9022 25.0187 3B₆+, 3EOC 30.1978 42.5593 γ + γ + B, 3B₄30.0969 34.1982 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 29.7252 248 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 29.300426.4627 γ + γ + B, 3B₄ 27.1394 31.8895 βγ + B, 2B₂, (4B₅, etc.) 26.974840.5922 βγ + B, 2B₂, (4B₅, etc.) 26.3642 7.06865 βγ + B, 2B₂, (4B₅,etc.) 22.6209 25.5043 2B₅ ⁺, 2EOC 19.6952 15.0868 1B₁ 13.8759 24.90751B₄+, 1EOC 10.929 7.63831 1B₂

Example 246

This example demonstrates copolymerization of ethylene and 1-octene togive polymer with mostly C6+ branches. Under nitrogen,[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ (0.005 g, 0.0084 mmol) and 9.6 wt. % MAO intoluene (0.50 mL) were dissolved in 10 mL of toluene at roomtemperature. The resulting solution was immediately transferred to a 100mL autoclave that had previously been flushed with nitrogen andevacuated. 1-Octene (40 mL, 255 mmol) was then added to the reactor,which was subsequently charged with ethylene (320 kPa). The reactionmixture was stirred for 60 min, during which time the temperature insidethe reactor varied between 24 and 28° C. Ethylene was then vented, andthe product polymer was precipitated by addition of the crude reactionmixture to 50 mL of methanol containing 5 mL of concentrated aqueousHCl. The polymer precipitated as a slightly viscous oil; this wasremoved by pipette and dried affording 3.03 g of amorphousethylene/1-octene copolymer. Branching per 1000 CH₂ was quantified by¹³C NMR (C₆D₃Cl₃, 25° C.): total Methyls (83.6), Methyl (4), Ethyl(1.6),Propyl (4.4), Butyl (5.6), Amyl (10.1), ≧Hex and end of chains (65.8),≧Am and end of chains (69.3), ≧Bu and end of chains (73.7). GPC(trichlorobenzene vs. linear polyethylene): M_(w)=48,200, M_(n)=17,000.DSC: Tg=−63° C.

Example 247

This example demonstrates copolymerization of ethylene and 1-octene togive polymer with mostly methyl and C6+ branches. Under nitrogen,[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ (0.005 g, 0.0084 mmol) and 9.6 wt. % MAO intoluene (0.50 mL) were dissolved in 40 mL of toluene at −40° C. Theresulting solution was immediately transferred to a 100 mL autoclavethat had previously been flushed with nitrogen and evacuated. 1-Octene(10 mL, 64 mmol) was then added to the reactor under 324 kPa ofethylene. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred under 324 kPa ofethylene for 1 h 10 min. During this time the temperature inside thereactor varied between 29 and 40° C. Ethylene was then vented, and theproduct polymer was precipitated by addition of the crude reactionmixture to methanol. The polymer was dried affording 6.45 g ofethylene/1-octene copolymer. Branching per 1000 CH₂ was quantified by¹³C NMR (C₆D₃Cl₃, 25° C.): Total methyls (50.7), Methyl (13.7),Ethyl(2.4), Propyl (3.5), Butyl (4.1), Amyl (1), ≧Hex and end of chains(26), ≧Am and end of chains (30.4), ≧Bu and end of chains (31). GPC(trichlorobenzene vs. linear polyethylene): M_(w)=116,000, M_(n)=9,570.

Example 248

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, Ni(COD)₂ (0.017 g, 0.06 mmol) and(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ (0.024 g, 0.06 mmol) were dissolved in benzene (5.0mL). To the resulting solution was added HBAF.(Et₂O)₂ (0.060 g, 0.06mmol). The resulting solution was immediately frozen inside a 40 mLshaker tube glass insert. The glass insert was transferred to a shakertube, and its contents allowed to thaw under an ethylene atmosphere. Thereaction mixture was agitated under 6.9 MPa C₂H₄ for 17.5 h at ambienttemperature. The final reaction mixture contained polyethylene, whichwas washed with methanol and dried; yield of polymer=9.2 g. ¹H NMR(CDCl₂CDCl₂, 120° C.) showed that this sample contained 49 methyl-endedbranches per 1000 methylenes. DSC: Tm=118.8° C., ΔH_(f)=87.0 J/g.

Example 249

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, Ni[P(O-2-C₆H₄-Me)₃]₂(C₂H₄) (0.047 g, 0.06mmol) and (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ (0.024 g, 0.06 mmol) were dissolved inbenzene (5.0 mL). To the resulting solution was added HBAF.(Et₂O)₂(0.060 g, 0.06 mmol). The resulting solution was immediately frozeninside a 40 mL shaker tube glass insert. The glass insert wastransferred to a shaker tube, and its contents allowed to thaw under anethylene atmosphere. The reaction mixture was agitated under 6.9 MPaC₂H₄ for 18 h at ambient temperature. The final reaction mixturecontained polyethylene, which was washed with methanol and dried; yieldof polymer=8.9 g. ¹H NMR (CDCl₂CDCl₂, 120° C.) showed that this samplecontained 47 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes. DSC: Tm=112.1°C., ΔH_(f)=57.5 J/g.

Example 250

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with a solution of Pd₂(dba)₃(dba=dibenzylideneacetone) (0.054 g, 0.059 mmol) in 40 mL of chloroform.A solution of (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂¥HBAF.(Et₂O)₂ (0.085 g, 0.059 mmol)(see Example 256) in 10 mL of chloroform was then added under 2.1 MPa ofethylene. The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h. During this time thetemperature inside the reactor varied between 24 and 40° C. Ethylene wasthen vented, and the product polymer was precipitated by addition of thecrude reaction mixture to methanol. The polymer was dried affording 14.7g of viscous polyethylene. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 25° C.) of this materialshowed it to be branched polyethylene with 115 methyl-ended ranches per1000 methylenes. GPC analysis in trichlorobenzene gave M_(n)=97,300,M_(w)=225,000 vs. linear polyethylene.

Example 251

A 100 mL autoclave was charged with solid Pd(OAc)₂ (OAc=acetate) (0.027g, 0.12 mmol) and (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ (0.049 g, 0.12 mmol). The reactorwas flushed with nitrogen and evacuated. A solution of 54 wt. %HBF₄¥Et₂O (0.098 g, 0.60 mmol) in 10 mL of chloroform was then addedunder 2.1 MPa of ethylene. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1.5 h.During this time, the temperature inside the reactor varied between 24and 37° C. Ethylene was then vented, and the product polymer wasprecipitated by addition of the crude reaction mixture to methanol. Thepolymer was dried affording 4.00 g of viscous polyethylene. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 25° C.) of this material showed it to be branched polyethylenewith 100 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes. GPC analysis intrichlorobenzene gave M_(n)=30,500, M_(w)=43,300 vs. linearpolyethylene.

Example 252

(Note: It is believed that in the following experiment, adventitiousoxygen was present and acted as a cocatalyst.) Under nitrogen,[(2.6-i-PrPh)₂ DAB An]Ni(COD) (0.006 g, 0.009 mmol) and 9.6 wt. % MAO intoluene (0.54 mL, 1.66 mmol) were dissolved in 50 mL of toluene. Thismixture was then transferred to a 100 mL autoclave. The autoclave wasthen charged with 2.1 MPa of ethylene. The reaction mixture was stirredfor 8 min. During this time, the temperature inside the reactor variedbetween 23 and 51° C. Ethylene pressure was then vented. The productpolymer was washed with methanol and dried, affording 8.44 g ofpolyethylene. ¹H NMR (CDCl₂, 120° C.) showed that this sample contained77 methyl-ended branches per 1000 methylenes.

Example 253

Under nitrogen, [(2,4,6-MePh)DABAn]NiBr₂ (0.041 g, 0.065 mmol) wassuspended in cyclopentene (43.95 g, 645 mmol). To this was added a 1 Msolution of EtAlCl₂ in toluene (3.2 mL, 3.2 mmol). The resultingreaction mixture was transferred to an autoclave, and under 700 kPa ofnitrogen heated to 60° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. for18 h; heating was then discontinued. When the reactor temperature haddropped to ˜30° C., the reaction was quenched by addition ofisopropanol. The resulting mixture was stirred under nitrogen forseveral minutes. The mixture was then added under air to a 5% aqueousHCl solution (200 mL). The precipitated product was filtered off, washedwith acetone, and dried to afford 6.2 g of polycyclopentene as a whitepowder. DSC of this material showed a broad melting transition centeredat approximately 190° C. and ending at approximately 250° C.; ΔH_(f)=18J/g. Thermal gravimetric analysis of this sample showed a weight lossstarting at 184° C.: the sample lost 25% of its weight between 184 and470° C., and the remaining material decomposed between 470 and 500° C.

Example 254

Under nitrogen, [(2,6-Me-4-BrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ (0.010 g, 0.015 mmol) wassuspended in cyclopentene (5.0 g, 73.4 mmol). To this was added a 1 Msolution of EtAlCl₂ in toluene (0.75 mL, 0.75 mmol). The resultingreaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 92 h, during whichtime polycyclopentene precipitated. The reaction was then quenched byaddition of ˜5 mL of methanol under nitrogen. Several drops ofconcentrated HCl was then added under air. The product was then filteredoff, washed with more methanol followed by acetone, and dried to afford1.31 g of polycyclopentene as a white powder. DSC of this materialshowed a broad melting transition centered at approximately 200° C. andending at approximately 250° C.; ΔH_(f)=49 J/g. Thermal gravimetricanalysis of this sample showed a weight loss starting at ˜477° C.; thesample completely decomposed between 477 and 507° C.

Example 255

Under nitrogen, [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ (0.008 g, 0.015 mmol) wassuspended in cyclopentene (5.00 g, 73.4 mmol). To this was added a 1 Msolution of EtAlCl₂ in toluene (0.75 mL, 0.75 mmol). A magnetic stirbarwas added to the reaction mixture and it was stirred at roomtemperature; after 92 h at room temperature the reaction mixture couldno longer be stirred due to precipitation of polycyclopentene solids. Atthis point the reaction was then quenched by addition of ˜5 mL ofmethanol under nitrogen. Several drops of concentrated HCl was thenadded under air. The product was then filtered off, washed with moremethanol followed by acetone, and dried to afford 2.75 g ofpolycyclopentene as a white powder. DSC of this material showed a broadmelting transition centered at approximately 190° C. and ending atapproximately 250° C.; ΔH_(f)=34 J/g. Thermal gravimetric analysis ofthis sample showed a weight loss starting at ˜480° C.; the samplecompletely decomposed between 480 and 508° C.

Example 256

HBAF (0.776 mmol) was dissolved in 5 ml of Et₂O. A second solution of0.776 mmol of (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ in 3 ml of Et₂O was added. Thereaction turned deep red-brown immediately. After stirring for 2 h thevolatiles were removed in vacuo to give the protonated α-diimine saltwhich was a red crystalline solid.

Example 257

HBF₄ (0.5 mmol) was dissolved in 4 ml of Et₂O. A second solution of 0.5mmol of (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ in 3 ml of Et₂O was added. A color change todeep red occurred upon mixing. The reaction was stirred overnight. Thevolatiles were removed in vacuo to give to give the protonated α-diiminesalt which was an orange solid.

Example 258

HO₃SCF₃ (0.5 mmol) was dissolved in 4 ml of Et₂O. A second solution of0.5 mmol of (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ in 3 ml of Et₂O was added. A colorchange to deep red occurred upon mixing after a few minutes anyellow-orange precipitate began to form. The reaction was stirredovernight. The product, believed to be the protonated α-diimine salt,was isolated by filtration rinsed with Et₂O and dried in vacuo.

Example 259

HBAF (0.478 mmol) was dissolved in 5 ml of Et₂O. A second solution of0.776 mmol of [(2,6-i-PrPh)N═C(CH₃)]₂CH₂ in 3 ml of Et₂O was added. Thereaction was stirred overnight. Removal of the volatiles in vacuo gavean off white solid, believed to be the protonated 1,3-diimine salt.

Example 260

HBF₄ (0.478 mmol) was dissolved in 5 ml of Et₂O. A second solution of0.478 mmol of [(2,6-i-PrPh)N═C(CH₃)]₂CH₂ in 3 ml of Et₂O was added, thereaction turned cloudy with a white precipitate. The reaction wasstirred overnight. The white solid, believed to be the protonated1,3-diimine salt, was isolated by filtration rinsed with Et₂O and driedin vacuo.

Example 261

The product of Example 256 (78 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml of toluene.The reaction vessel was charged with 140 kPa (absolute) of ethylene. Asolution of 10 mg Ni(COD)₂ in 3 ml of toluene was added. Ethylene wasadded (138 kPa pressure, absolute) and the polymerization was run for 24h at ambient temperature. Precipitation with MeOH gave 157 mg of whitespongy polyethylene.

Example 262

The product of Example 257 (27 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml of toluene.The reaction vessel was charged with 35 kPa of ethylene. A solution of10 mg Ni(COD)₂ in 3 ml of toluene was added. Ethylene was added (138 kPapressure, absolute) and the polymerization was run for 24 h at ambienttemperature. Precipitation with MeOH gave 378 mg of sticky whitepolyethylene.

Example 263

The product of Example 258 (30 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml of toluene.The reaction vessel was charged with 140 kPa (absolute) of ethylene. Asolution of 10 mg Ni(COD)₂ in 3 ml of toluene was added. Ethylene wasadded (138 kPa pressure, absolute) and the polymerization was run for 24h at ambient temperature. Precipitation with MeOH gave 950 mg ofamorphous polyethylene.

Example 264

To a burgundy slurry of 1 mmol of VCl₃(THF)₃ in 10 ml of THF was added ayellow solution of 1 mmol of (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ in 4 ml of THF. After10 minutes of stirring the reaction was a homogenous red solution. Thesolution was filtered to remove a few solids, concentrated and thencooled to −30° C. The red crystals that formed were isolated byfiltration, rinsed with pentane and dried in vacuo. The yield was 185mg.

Example 265

The product of Example 264 (6 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml of toluene. Theresulting solution was placed under 140 kPa (absolute) of ethylene. PMAOsolution (0.8 mL, 9.6 wt % Al in toluene) was added and thepolymerization was stirred for 3 h. The reaction was halted by theaddition of 10% HCl/MeOH. The precipitated polymer was isolated byfiltration, washed with MeOH and dried in vacuo. The yield was 1.58 g ofwhite polyethylene.

Example 266

Lanthanide metal tris-triflates (wherein the lanthanide metals were Y,La, Sm, Er, and Yb), 1 mmol, was slurried in 10 ml of CH₂Cl₂. A solutionof 1 mmol of (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ in 3 ml of CH₂Cl₂ was added and thereaction stirred for 16 h at ambient temperature. The solution wasfiltered to give a clear filtrate. Removal of the solvent in vacuo gavelight yellow to orange powders.

Example 267

Each of the various materials (0.02 mmol) prepared in Example 266 weredissolved in 20 ml of toluene. The resulting solutions were placed under140 kPa (absolute) of ethylene. MMAO-3A solution (1.0 mL, 6.4 wt % Al intoluene) was added and the polymerizations were stirred for 3 h. Thereactions were halted by the addition of 10% HCl/MeOH. The precipitatedpolymers were isolated by filtration washed with MeOH and dried invacuo. Polymer yields are shown the following table,

Lanthanide Metal Yield (g) Yb 0.117 La 0.139 Sm 0.137 Y 0.139 Er 0.167

Example 268

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni—O₂ (68 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml of toluene.The reaction vessel was placed under 138 kPa (absolute) of ethylene.PMAO (0.7 mL, 9.6 wt. % Al in toluene) was added and the polymerizationwas conducted for 16 h. The reaction was halted by the addition of 15 mlof 10% HCl/MeOH solution. The precipitated polymer was isolated byfiltration and dried under vacuum to yield 1.67 g of rubberypolyethylene.

Example 269

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni—O₂ (65 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml of toluene.The reaction vessel was placed under 138 kPa (absolute) of ethylene.PMAO (0.7 mL, 9.6 wt. % Al in toluene) was added and the polymerizationwas conducted for 16 h. The reaction was halted by the addition of 15 mlof 10% HCl/MeOH solution. The precipitated polymer was isolated byfiltration and dried under vacuum to yield 1.9 g of rubberypolyethylene.

Example 270

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]CrCl₂. (THF) (15 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml oftoluene. The reaction vessel was placed under 138 kPa (absolute) ofethylene. MMAO-3A (1 mL, 6.4 wt. % Al in toluene) was added and thepolymerization was conducted for 3 h. The reaction was halted by theaddition of 15 ml of 10% HCl/MeOH solution. The precipitated polymer wasisolated by filtration and dried under vacuum to yield 694 mg ofpolyethylene. DSC (−150 to 250° C. at 10° C./min) results from thesecond heating were T_(m)129° C., ΔH_(f)204 J/g.

Example 271

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]CrCl₃ (14 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml of toluene.The reaction vessel was placed under 138 kPa (absolute) of ethylene.MMAO-3A (1 mL, 6.4 wt. % Al in toluene) was added and the polymerizationwas conducted for 3 h. The reaction was halted by the addition of 15 mlof 10% HCl/MeOH solution. The precipitated polymer was isolated byfiltration and dried under vacuum to yield 833 mg of polyethylene. DSC(−150 to 250° C. at 10° C./min) results from the second heating wereT_(m)133° C., ΔH_(f)211 J/g.

Example 272

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]CrCl₂. (THF) (14 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml oftoluene. The reaction vessel was placed under 138 kPa (absolute) ofethylene. MMAO-3A 0.(1 mL, 6.4 wt. % Al in toluene) was added and thepolymerization was conducted for 3 h. The reaction was halted by theaddition of 15 ml of 10% HCl/MeOH solution. The precipitated polymer wasisolated by filtration and dried under vacuum to yield 316 mg ofpolyethylene. DSC results from the second heating were (−150 to 250° C.at 10° C./min) T_(m)133° C., ΔH_(f)107 J/g.

Example 273

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]CrCl₃ (15 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml of toluene.The reaction vessel was placed under 138 kPa (absolute) of ethylene.MMAO-3A (1 mL, 6.4 wt. % Al in toluene) was added and the polymerizationwas conducted for 3 h. The reaction was halted by the addition of 15 mlof 10% HCl/MeOH solution. The precipitated polymer was isolated byfiltration and dried under vacuum to yield 605 mg of polyethylene.DSC(−150 to 250° C. at 10° C./min) results from the second heating wereT_(m)134° C., ΔH_(f)157 J/g.

Example 274

A 61 mg sample of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCHCl)]BAF wasdissolved in 20 ml of toluene. The reaction vessel was placed under 138kPa (absolute) of ethylene. PMAO (0.7 mL) was added and the reactionstirred for 16 h. The polymerization was quenched by the addition of 15ml of 10% HCl/MeOH. The polymer was isolated by filtration, washed withacetone and dried. The yield was 2.24 g of rubbery polyethylene.

Example 275

A 65 mg sample of {[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni (η³-H₂CCHCHCl)]BAF wasdissolved in 20 ml of toluene. The reaction vessel was placed under 138kPa (absolute) of ethylene. PMAO (0.7 mL) was added and the reactionstirred for 16 h. The polymerization was quenched by the addition of 15ml of 10% HCl/MeOH. The polymer was isolated by filtration, washed withacetone and dried. The yield was 2.0 g of rubbery polyethylene.

Example 276

A 61 mg sample of {[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCH₂)}Cl was dissolvedin 20 ml of toluene. The reaction vessel was placed under 138 kPa(absolute) of ethylene. PMAO (0.7 mL) was added and the reaction stirredfor 16 h. The polymerization was quenched by the addition of 15 ml of10% HCl/MeOH. The polymer was isolated by filtration, washed withacetone and dried. The yield was 1.83 g of rubbery polyethylene.

Example 277

A 60 mg sample of {[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCH₂)}Cl was dissolvedin 20 ml of toluene. The reaction vessel was placed under 138 kPa(absolute) of ethylene. PMAO (0.7 mL) was added and the reaction stirredfor 16 h. The polymerization was quenched by the addition of 15 ml of10% HCl/MeOH. The polymer was isolated by filtration, washed withacetone and dried. The yield was 1.14 g of rubbery polyethylene.

Example 278

[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DAB(4-F-Ph)₂]NiBr₂

In a 250-mL RB flask fitted with pressure equalizing addition funnel,thermometer, magnetic stirrer, and N₂ inlet was placed 0.75 g (3.0 mmol)of 4,4′-difluorobenzil, 13.8 mL (80 mmol) of 2,6-diisopropylaniline(DIPA), and 100 mL dry benzene. In the addition funnel was placed 50 mLof dry benzene and 2.0 mL (3.5 g; 18 mmol) of titanium tetrachloride.The reaction flask was cooled to 2° C. with ice and the TiCl₄ solutionwas added dropwise over 45 min, keeping the reaction temperature below5° C. The ice bath was removed after addition was complete and themixture was stirred at RT for 72 h. The reaction mixture was partitionedbetween water and ethyl ether, and the ether phase was rotovapped andthe concentrated oil was washed with 800 mL 1N HCl to remove the excessdiisopropylaniline. The mixture was extracted with 100 mL of ether, andthe ether layer was washed with water and rotovapped. Addition of 15 mLhexane plus 30 mL of methanol to the concentrate resulted in theformation of fine yellow crystals which were filtered, methanol-washed,and dried under suction to yield 0.4 g of (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DAB(4-F-Ph)₂, mp:155-158° C.

A 60-mg (0.092-mmol) sample of (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DAB(4-F-Ph)₂ was stirredunder nitrogen with 32 mg (0.103 mmol) of nickel (II)dibromide-dimethoxyethane complex in 20 mL of methylene chloride for 66h. The orange-brown solution was rotovapped and held under high vacuumfor 2 h to yield 86 mg of red-brown solids. The solid product wasscraped from the sides of the flask, stirred with 20 mL hexane, andallowed to settle. The yellow-orange hexane solution was pipetted offand the remaining solid was held under high vacuum to yield 48 mg of theorange-brown complex [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DAB(4-F-Ph)₂]NiBr₂.

Example 279 Ethylene polymerization with[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DAB(4-F-Ph)₂]NiBr₂

A 26-mg (0.033-mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DAB(4-F-Ph)₂]NiBr₂ wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry toluene. Then 0.6 mL of polymethylalumoxane was injected, turningthe orange-brown solution to a deep green-black solution. The mixturewas pressurized immediately with ethylene to 152 kPa (absolute) andstirred at RT for 17 h. The reaction soon became warm to the touch; thisheat evolution persisted for over an hour and the liquid volume in theSchlenk flask was observed to be slowly increasing. After 17 h, thereaction was still dark green-brown, but thicker and significantly (20%)increased in volume. The ethylene was vented; the offgas contained about3% butenes (1-butene, 1.9%; t-2-butene, 0.6%; c-2-butene, 0.9%) by GC(30-m Quadrex GSQ Megabore column; 50-250° C. at 10°/min). The toluenesolution was stirred with 6N HCl/methanol and was separated; the toluenewas rotovapped and held under high vacuum to yield 9.53 g of low-meltingpolyethylene wax. There seemed to be significant low-boiling speciespresent, probably low-mw ethylene oligomers, which continued to boil offunder high vacuum. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃; 60° C.) of the product showed aCH₂:CH₃ ratio of 206:17, which is 57 CH₃'s per 1000 CH₂'s. There werevinyl peaks at 5-5.8 ppm; if the end groups are considered to be vinylsrather than internal olefins, the degree of polymerization was about 34.

Example 280 Synthesis of [(2-CF₃Ph)₂DABMe2]NiBr₂

[(2-CF₃Ph)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂

A mixture of 10.2 mL (13.1 g; 81.2 mmol) 2-aminobenzotrifluoride and 3.6mL (3.5 g; 41 mmol) freshly-distilled 2,3-butanedione in 15 mL methanolcontaining 6 drops of 98% formic acid was stirred at 35° C. undernitrogen for 8 days. The reaction mixture was rotovapped and theresultant crystalline solids (1.3 g) were washed with carbontetrachloride. The crystals were dissolved in chloroform; the solutionwas passed through a short alumina column and evaporated to yield 1.0 gof yellow crystals of the diimine (2-CF₃Ph)₂DABMe₂. ¹H NMR analysis(CDCl₃): 2.12 ppm (s, 6H, CH3); 6.77 (d, 2H, ArH, J=9 Hz); 7.20 (t, 2H,ArH, J=7 Hz); 7.53 (t, 2H, ArH, J=7 Hz); 7.68 (t, 2H, ArH, J=8 Hz).Infrared spectrum: 1706, 1651, 1603, 1579, 1319, 1110 cm⁻¹. Mp: 154-156°C.

A mixture of 0.207 g (0.56 mmol) of (2-CF₃Ph)₂DABMe₂ and 0.202 g (0.65mmol) of nickel(II) dibromide-dimethoxyethane complex in 13 mL ofmethylene chloride was stirred at RT under nitrogen for 3 hr. Thered-brown suspension was rotovapped and held under high vacuum to yield0.3 g of [(2-CF₃Ph)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ complex.

Example 281 Ethylene polymerization with [(2-CF₃Ph)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂

A 13-mg (0.022-mmol) sample of [(2-CF₃Ph)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ was placed in aParr® 600-mL stirred autoclave; 200 mL of dry, deaerated hexane (driedover molecular sieves) was added and the hexane was saturated withethylene by pressurizing to 450 kPa (absolute) ethylene and venting.Then 1.0 mL of modified methylalumoxane (1.7M in heptane; contains about30% isobutyl groups) was injected into the autoclave with stirring, andthe autoclave was stirred for 1 hr under 690 kPa (absolute) ethylene asthe temperature rose from 20° C. to 61° C. over the first 20 min andthen slowly declined to 48° C. by the end of the run. The ethylene wasvented and 3 mL of methanol was injected to stop polymerization; theautoclave contained a white suspension of fine particles ofpolyethylene; the appearance was like latex paint. The polymersuspension was added to methanol, and the polymer was stirred withMeOH/HCl to remove catalyst. The suspension was filtered and dried in avacuum oven (75° C.) to yield 26.8 g of fine, white powdery polyethyleneDifferential scanning calorimetry (15° C./min): Tg −45° C.; mp 117° C.(75 J/g). GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, resultscalculated as polyethylene using universal calibration theory):Mn=2,350; Mw=8,640; Mz=24,400; Mw/Mn=3.67. A solution of the polymer inchlorobenzene could be cast into a waxy film with little strength.

Example 282

Under nitrogen, Ni(COD)₂ (0.017 g, 0.062 mmol) and (2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn(0.026 g, 0.062 mmol) were dissolved in 2.00 g of cyclopentene to give apurple solution. The solution was then exposed to air (oxygen) forseveral seconds. The resulting dark red-brown solution was then put backunder nitrogen, and EtAlCl₂ (1 M solution in toluene, 3.0 mL, 3.0 mmol)added. A cranberry-red solution formed instantly. The reaction mixturewas stirred at room temperature for 3 days, during which timepolycyclopentene precipitated. The reaction was then quenched by theaddition of methanol followed by several drops of concentrated HCl. Thereaction mixture was filtered, and the product polymer washed withmethanol and dried to afford 0.92 g of polycyclopentene as an off-whitepowder. Thermal gravimetric analysis of this sample showed a weight lossstarting at 141° C.: the sample lost 18% of its weight between 141 and470° C., and the remaining material decomposed between 470 and 496° C.

Example 283

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, Ni(COD)₂ (0.017 g, 0.06 mmol) and theligand shown below (0.025 g, 0.06 mmol) were dissolved in benzene (5.0mL). To the resulting solution was added HBAF.(Et₂O)₂ (0.060 g, 0.06mmol). The resulting solution was immediately frozen inside a 40 mLshaker tube glass insert. The glass insert was transferred to a shakertube, and its contents allowed to thaw under an ethylene atmosphere. Thereaction mixture was agitated under 6.9 MPa C₂H₄ for 18 h at ambienttemperature. The final reaction mixture contained polyethylene, whichwas washed with methanol and dried; yield of polymer=11.0 g.

Example 284

The catalyst {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ (0.025 g,0.03 mmol) and CH₂═CH(CH₂)₆C₁₀F₂₁ (4.74 g, 7.52 mmol) were dissolved in20 mL CH₂Cl₂ in a Schlenk flask in a drybox. The flask was connected toa Schlenk line and the flask was then briefly evacuated and refilledwith ethylene from the Schlenk line. This was stirred at RT under 1 atmof ethylene for 72 hr. Solvent was evaporated to almost dryness. Acetone(70 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred vigorously overnight. Theupper layer was decanted. The resulting yellow solid was washed with3×15 mL acetone, vacuum dried, and 1.15 g of product was obtained. ¹HNMR analysis (CD₂Cl₂): 105 methyls per 1000 methylene carbons.Comparison of the integral of the CH₂R_(f)(2.10 ppm) with the integralsof methyls(0.8-1.0 ppm) and methylenes(1.2-1.4 ppm) indicated acomonomer content of 6.9 mol %. The polymer exhibited a glass transitiontemperature of −55° C.(13 J/g) and a melting point of 57° C. bydifferential scanning calorimetry. Gel permeation chromatography (THF,polystyrene standard): Mw=39,500, Mn=34,400, P/D=1.15.

Example 285

In a 100 mL Schlenk flask, [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (0.012 g, 0.017mmol) and CH₂═CH(CH₂)₆C₁₀F₂₁ (4.62 g, 7.33 mmol) were dissolved in 32 mLof toluene under stirring. This was pressured with 1 atm ethylene andwas allowed to stir at 0° C. for 15 minutes. MAO (1.7 mL, 8.9 wt % intoluene) was added. This was allowed to vigorously stir at RT for 30min. Sixty mL methanol was then added. The white solid was filtered,followed by 3×30 ml 3:1 methanol/toluene wash, vacuum dried, and 3.24 gof white polymer was obtained. ¹H NMR analysis (o-dichlorobenzene-d₄,135° C.): 64 methyls per 1000 methylene carbons. Comparison of theintegral of the CH₂R_(f) (2.37 ppm) with the integrals of methyls(1.1-1.2 ppm) and methylenes (1.4-1.8 ppm) indicated a comonomer contentof 8.7 mol %. Mw=281,157, Mn=68,525, P/D=4.1.

Example 286

In a 100 mL Schlenk flask, [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (0.012 g, 0.017mmol) and CH₂═CH(CH₂)₆C₁₀F₂₁ (4.62 g, 7.33 mmol) were dissolved in 32 mLof toluene under stirring. This was allowed to stir at 0° C. for 15minutes. MAO (1.7 mL, 8.9 wt % in toluene) was added. This was allowedto stir at 0° C. for 2.5 h and then RT for 3 h. Methanol (200 mL) wasthen added, followed by 1 mL conc. HCl. The white solid was filtered andwashed with methanol, vacuum dried, and 0.79 g of white solid polymerwas obtained. By differential scanning calorimetry, Tm 85° C.(22 J/g).

Example 287

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C (O)OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ (0.0205 g, 0.024mmol) and CH₂═CH(CH₂)₄(CF₂)₄O(CF₂)₂SO₂F (3.5 g, 7.26 mmol) weredissolved in 18 mL CH₂Cl₂ in a Schlenk flask in a drybox. The flask wasconnected to a Schlenk line and the flask was then briefly evacuated andrefilled with ethylene from the Schlenk line. This was stirred at RTunder 1 atm of ethylene for 72 hr. Solvent was evaporated afterfiltration. The viscous oil was dissolved in 10 mL CH₂Cl₂, followed byaddition of 100 mL methanol. The upper layer was decanted. The reverseprecipitation was repeated two more time, followed by vacuum drying toyield 3.68 g of a light yellow viscous oil. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 89methyls per 1000 methylene carbons. Comparison of the integral of theCH₂CF₂— (2.02 ppm) with the integrals of methyls(0.8-1.0 ppm) andmethylenes(1.1-1.4 ppm) indicated a comonomer content of 8.5 mol %. ¹⁹FNMR (CDCl₃): 45.27 ppm, —SO₂F; −82.56 ppm, −83.66 ppm, −112.82 ppm,−115.34 ppm, −124.45 ppm, −125.85 ppm, CF₂ peaks. The polymer exhibiteda glass transition temperature of −57° C. by differential scanningcalorimetry. Gel permeation chromatography (THF, polystyrene standard):Mw=120,000, Mn=78,900, P/D=1.54. The turnover numbers for ethylene andthe comonomer are 2098 and 195, respectively.

Example 288

In a 100 mL Schlenk flask, [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (0.017 g, 0.024mmol) and CH₂═CH(CH₂)₄(CF₂)₄O(CF₂)₂SO₂F (5.0 g, 10 mmol) were dissolvedin 25 mL of toluene under stirring. MAO (2.3 mL, 8.9 wt % in toluene)was added. This was allowed to stir at RT for 15 hr. Sixty mL methanolwas then added, followed by 1 mL conc. HCl. The upper layer wasdecanted, residue washed with methanol(5×5 mL), vacuum dried, and 1.20 gof a white viscous oil was obtained. ¹⁹F NMR (Hexafluorobenzene, 80°C.): 45.20 ppm, —SO₂F; −81.99 ppm, −82.97 ppm, −112.00 ppm, −114.36 ppm,−123.60 ppm, −124.88 ppm, CF₂ peaks.

Example 289

In a Schlenk flask, [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (0.012 g, 0.017 mmol) andCH₂═CH(CH₂)₄(CF₂)₄O(CF₂)₂SO₂F (3.26 g, 6.77 mmol) were dissolved in 35mL of toluene under stirring. This was pressured with 1 atm ethylene andwas allowed to stir at 0° C. for 15 minutes. MAO (1.7 mL, 8.9 wt % intoluene) was added. This was allowed to vigorously stir at RT for 45minutes. Methanol (140 mL) was then added, followed by addition of 1 mLof conc. HCl. The white solid was filtered, followed by methanol wash,vacuum dried to obtain 2.76 g of a white rubbery polymer. ¹H NMRanalysis (O-dichlorobenzene-d₄, 100° C.): 98 methyls per 1000 methylenecarbons. Comparison of the integral of the —CH₂CF₂— (2.02 ppm) with theintegrals of methyls (0.8-1.0 ppm) and methylenes (1.1-1.4 ppm)indicated a comonomer content of 3.5 mol %. ¹⁹F NMR((O-dichlorobenzene-d₄): 45.19 ppm, —SO₂F; −82.70 ppm, −83.72 ppm,−112.96 ppm, −115.09 ppm, −124.37 ppm, −125.83 ppm, CF₂ peaks. Thepolymer exhibited Tm of 97° C. by differential scanning calorimetry.Mw=156,000, Mn=90,000, P/D=1.73.

Example 290

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C (O)OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ (0.030 g, 0.035 mmol)and CH₂═CH(CH₂)₄(CF₂)₂CO₂Et (3.0 g, 11.7 mmol) were dissolved in 20 mLCH₂Cl₂ in a Schlenk flask in a drybox. The flask was connected to aSchlenk line and the flask was then briefly evacuated and refilled withethylene from the Schlenk line. This was stirred at RT under 1 atm ofethylene for 72 h. Solvent was evaporated. The viscous oil was dissolvedin 10 mL acetone, followed by addition of 60 mL methanol. The mixturewas centrifuged. The upper layer was decanted. The oil was dissolved in10 mL acetone followed by addition of 60 mL methanol. The mixture wascentrifuged again. The viscous oil was collected, and vacuum dried toobtain 1.50 g of a light yellow viscous oil. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 67methyls per 1000 methylene carbons. Comparison of the integral of theCH₂CF₂— (2.02 ppm) with the integrals of methyls(0.8-1.0 ppm) andmethylenes(1.1-1.4 ppm) indicated a comonomer content of 11 mol %. Thepolymer exhibited a Tg of −61° C. by DSC. GPC (THF, polystyrenestandard): Mw=73,800, Mn=50,500, P/D=1.46.

Example 291

In a Schlenk flask, [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (0.019 g, 0.026 mmol) andCH₂═CH(CH₂)₄ (CF₂)₂CO₂Et (3.0 g, 11.7 mmol) were dissolved in 35 mL oftoluene. This was placed under 1 atm of ethylene at 0° C. for 15minutes. MAO (2.6 mL, 8.9 wt % in toluene) was added. This was allowedto vigorously stir at 0° C. for 30 minutes. Methanol (120 mL) was thenadded, followed by 1 mL conc. HCl. The solid was filtered, washed withmethanol and hexane, and vacuum dried to yield 1.21 g of a white rubberysolid. ¹H NMR analysis (TCE-d₂, 110° C.): Comparison of the integral ofthe CH₂CF₂— (2.06 ppm) with the integrals of methyls(0.8-1.0 ppm) andmethylenes(1.1-1.4 ppm) indicated a comonomer content of 6.0 mol %. Thepolymer exhibited a Tg of −46° C. and Tm's at 40° C. and 82° C. by DSC.

Example 292

In a Schlenk flask, [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (0.022 g, 0.030 mmol) andCH₂═CH(CH₂)₄(CF₂)₂CO₂Et (3.5 g, 13.7 mmol), were dissolved in 30 mL oftoluene. This was placed under nitrogen at 0° C. for 15 minutes. MAO(3.0 mL, 8.9 wt % in toluene) was added. This was allowed to stir at 0°C. for 2.5 h and then RT for 6 h. Fifty mL methanol was then added,followed by 1 mL conc. HCl. The mixture was washed with 3×60 mL water.The organic layer was isolated and dried by using Na₂SO₄. Evaporation oftoluene and addition of hexane resulted in precipitation of an oil. Theoil was washed with hexane another two times, and vacuum dried to yield0.16 g of a yellow oil. Mw=35,600, Mn=14,400, P/D=2.47.

Example 293

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C (O)OCH₃}⁺Sb₆ ⁻ (0.0848 g, 0.1 mmol)and CH₂═CH(CH₂)₄ (CF₂)₂O(CF₂)₂SO₂F (11.5 g, 0.03 mol) were dissolved in72 mL CH₂Cl₂ in a Schlenk flask in a drybox. The flask was connected toa Schlenk line and the flask was then briefly evacuated and refilledwith ethylene from the Schlenk line. This was stirred at RT under 1 atmof ethylene for 72 hr. The solution was filtered through Celite and thenconcentrated to 70 mL. Methanol (400 mL) was added under stirring. Theupper layer was decanted. The oil was redissolved in 70 mL CH₂Cl₂followed by addition of 350 mL methanol. The viscous oil was collected,vacuum dried and 24.1 g of a light yellow viscous oil was obtained. ¹HNMR analysis (CDCl₃): 113 methyls per 1000 methylene carbons. Comparisonof the integral of the CH₂CF₂— (2.0 ppm) with the integrals ofmethyls(0.8-1.0 ppm) and methylenes(1.1-1.4 ppm) indicated a comonomercontent of 2.9 mol %. The polymer exhibited a Tg of −66° C. by DSC. GPC(THF, polystyrene standard): Mw=186,000, Mn=90,500, P/D=2.06. Theturnover numbers for ethylene and the comonomer are 6,122 and 183,respectively.

Examples 294-300

All of these Examples were done under 1 atm ethylene with a MAconcentration of 1.2M and {[(diimine)PdMe(Et₂O)]⁺SbF₆ ⁻) concentrationof 0.0022M at RT for 72 hr. Results are shown in the Table below.

Ex. No. Diimine MA(mol %)* Mn P/D 294 (2,6-i- 6 12,300 1.8 PrPh)₂DABMe₂295 (2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂ 16 7,430 1.9 296 (2,4,6- 23 2,840 2.1 MePh)₂DABMe₂297 (2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn 37 1,390 1.4 298 (2,4,6-MePh)₂DABH₂ 46 1,090 3.1299 (2-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ 17 410 ** 300 (2-MePh)₂DABMe₂ 29 320 ** *In thepolymer **Mn characterized by ¹H NMR.

Example 301

{[(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₃(Et₂O)}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ (0.0778 g, 0.10 mmol) and methylacrylate (4.78 g, 0.056 mol) were dissolved in 40 mL CH₂Cl₂ in a Schlenkflask in a drybox. The flask was connected to a Schlenk line and theflask was then briefly evacuated and refilled with ethylene from theSchlenk line. This was stirred at RT under 1 atm of ethylene for 72 h.The mixture was filtered through silica gel, solvent was evaporated andthen vacuum dried, and 1.92 g light of a yellow viscous oil wasobtained. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃): 69 methyls per 1000 methylenecarbons. Comparison of the integral of the methyl on the ester groups(2.3 ppm) with the integrals of carbon chain methyls(0.8-1.0 ppm) andmethylenes(1.1-1.4 ppm) indicated a comonomer content of 16 mol %. Thepolymer exhibited a Tg of −68° C. by DSC. GPC (THF, polystyrenestandard): Mw=14,300, Mn=7,430, P/D=1.93.

Example 302

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ (0.254 g, 0.30 mmol)and CH₂═CHCO₂CH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃ (90.2 g, 0.20 mol) were dissolved in 150 mLCH₂Cl₂ in a flask in the drybox. The flask was connected to a Schlenkline and the flask was then briefly evacuated and refilled with ethylenefrom the Schlenk line. This was stirred at RT under 1 atm of ethylenefor 24 h. The solution was decanted to 1200 mL methanol, resultedformation of oil at the bottom of the flask. The upper layer wasdecanted, oil dissolved in 150 mL CH₂Cl₂, followed by addition of 1200mL of methanol. The upper layer was decanted, oil dissolved in 600 mLhexane and filtered through Celite®. Solvent was evaporated, and thenvacuum dried, yielding 54.7 g of a viscous oil. ¹H NMR analysis (CDCl₃):99 methyls per 1000 methylene carbons. Comparison of the integral of theCH₂CF₂—(4.56 ppm) with the integrals of methyls(0.8-1.0 ppm) andmethylenes(1.1-1.4 ppm) indicated a comonomer content of 5.5 mol %. Thepolymer exhibited a Tg of −49° C. by DSC. Mw=131,000, Mn=81,800.

Example 303

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ (0.169 g, 0.20 mmol)and β-hydroxyethyl acrylate (6.67 g, 0.057 mol) were dissolved in 40 mLCH₂Cl₂ in a flask in the drybox. The flask was connected to a Schlenkline and the flask was then briefly evacuated and refilled with ethylenefrom the Schlenrk line. This was stirred at RT under 1 atm of ethylenefor 45 h. Solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 100 mLhexane, followed by addition of 400 mL methanol. Upon standingovernight, a second upper layer formed and was decanted. The oil wasdissolved in 60 mL THF, followed by addition of 300 mL water. The upperlayer was decanted. The residue was dissolved in 100 ML 1:1CH₂Cl₂/hexane. This was filtered through Celite®. The solvent wasevaporated, vacuum dried and 6.13 g of a light yellow oil was obtained.¹H NMR analysis (CD₂Cl₂): 142 methyls per 1000 methylene carbons.Comparison of the integral of the CH₂CO₂— (2.30 ppm) with the integralsof methyls(0.8-1.0 ppm) and methylenes(1.1-1.4 ppm) indicated acomonomer content of 2.6 mol % Mw=53,100, Mn=37,900, P/D=1.40.

Example 304

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O) OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ (0.169 g, 0.20 mmol)and hydroxypropyl acrylate (7.52 g, 0.058 mol) were dissolved in 40 mLCH₂Cl₂ in a flask in the drybox. The flask was connected to a Schlenkline and the flask was then briefly evacuated and refilled with ethylenefrom the Schlenk line. This was stirred at RT under 1 atm of ethylenefor 72 h. Solvent was evaporated. Eighty mL methanol was added todissolve the residue, followed by 250 mL water. The upper layer wasdecanted. The reverse precipitation was repeated one more time. The oilwas isolated, vacuum dried, and 1.1 g of a light yellow oil wasobtained. ¹H NMR analysis (CD₂Cl₂): 94 methyls per 1000 methylenecarbons. Comparison of the integral of the CH₂CO₂—(2.30 ppm) with theintegrals of methyls(0.8-1.0 ppm) and methylenes(1.1-1.4 ppm) indicateda comonomer content of 6.5 mol %. Mw=39,200, Mn=28,400, P/D=1.38.

Example 305

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed into a glass vial inthe dry box (0.0141 g, 0.025 mmol). Cyclopentene was added (3.41 g,2,000 equivalents/Ni). A solution of MMAO (Akzo Nobel MMAO-3A, modifiedmethylaluminoxane, 25% isobutyl groups in place of methyl groups) wasadded while stirring (0.75 ml, 1.7 M Al in heptane, 50 equivalents/Ni).Following addition of the MMAO, the solution was homogeneous. Afterstirring for several hours, solid polymer started to precipitate. Afterstirring for 46 hours, the solution was filtered and the solids werewashed several times on the filter with pentane. The polymer was driedin vacuo for 12 hours at room temperature to yield 0.66 g polymer (388turnovers/Ni). The polymer was pressed at 292° C. to give a transparent,light gray, tough film. DSC (25 to 300° C., 15° C./min, second heat):Tg=104° C., Tm (onset)=210° C., Tm (end)=285_(i) C., Heat of fusion=14J/g. X-ray powder diffraction shows peaks at d-spacings 5.12, 4.60,4.20, 3.67, and 2.22. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, 155° C., d₄-o-dichlorobenzene,referenced to downfield peak of solvent=7.280 ppm): 0.923 (bs, 1.0 H,—CHCH ₂CH—); 1.332 (bs, 2.0 H, —CHCH ₂CH ₂CH—); 1.759 (bs, 4.0 H, —CHCH₂CH ₂CH—and —CHCH₂CH₂CH—); 1.947 (bs, 1.0 H, —CHCH ₂CH—). Theassignments are based upon relative integrals and ¹H -¹³C correlationsdetermined by 2D NMR. This spectrum is consistent with an additionpolymer with cis-1,3 enchainment of the cyclopentene.

Example 306

Cyclopentene was polymerized by [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl and MMAOaccording to Example 305 to give 0.37 g polymer (217 turnovers/Pd). Thepolymer was pressed at 250° C. to give a transparent, light brown, toughfilm. DSC (25 to 300° C., 15° C./min, second heat): Tg=84° C.,Tm(onset)=175° C., Tm (end)=255° C., Heat of fusion=14 J/g. ¹H NMR (400MHz, 120° C., d₄-o-dichlorobenzene, referenced to downfield peak ofsolvent=7.280 ppm): 0.90 (bs, 1 H, —CHCH ₂CH—); 1.32 (bs, 2 H, —CHCH ₂CH₂CH—); 1.72, 1.76 (bs, bs 4 H, —CHCH ₂CH ₂CH— and —CHCH₂CH₂CH—); 1.94(bs, 1 H, —CHCH ₂CH—). The assignments are based upon relative integralsand ¹H -13C correlations determined by 2D NMR. This spectrum isconsistent with an addition polymer with cis-1,3 enchainment of thecyclopentene.

Example 307

Cyclopentene was polymerized by [(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl and MMAOaccording to Example 305 to give 0.39 g polymer (229 turnovers/Pd). Thepolymer was pressed at 250° C. to give a transparent, light brown, toughfilm. DSC (25 to 300° C., 15° C./min, second heat): Tg=88° C.,Tm(onset)=175° C., Tm (end)=255° C., Heat of fusion=16 J/g. ¹H NMR (300MHz, 120° C., d₄-o-dichlorobenzene) is very similar to the spectrum ofExample 306.

Example 308

Cyclopentene was polymerized by [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ and MMAOaccording to Example 305 to give 0.36 g polymer (211 turnovers/Ni). Thepolymer was pressed at 250° C. to give a transparent, colorless, toughfilm. DSC (25 to 300° C., 15° C./min, second heat): Tg=98° C.,Tm(onset)=160° C., Tm (end)=260° C., Heat of fusion=22 J/g. ¹H NMR (500MHz, 120° C., d₄-o-dichlorobenzene) is very similar to the spectrum ofExample 306. X-ray powder diffraction shows the same crystalline phaseas observed in Example 305.

Example 309

Cyclopentene was polymerized by [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl and MMAOaccording to Example 305 to give 0.73 g of fine powder (429turnovers/Pd). The polymer was pressed at 250° C. to give a transparent,light brown tough film. DSC (25 to 300° C., 15° C./min, second heat):Tg=96° C., Tm(onset)=175° C., Tm (end)=250° C., Heat of fusion=14 J/g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, 120° C., d₄-o-dichlorobenzene) is very similar to thespectrum of Example 306. X-ray powder diffraction shows the samecrystalline phase as observed in Example 305.

Example 310

Cyclopentene was polymerized by [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCl₂ and MMAOaccording to Example 305 to give 0.856 g polymer (503 turnovers/Pd). Thepolymer was pressed at 250° C. to give a transparent, light brown, toughfilm. DSC (25 to 300° C., 15° C./min, second heat): Tg=104° C.,Tm(onset)=140° C., Tm(end)=245° C., Heat of fusion=19 J/g. ¹H NMR (400MHz, 120° C., d₄-o-dichlorobenzene) is very similar to the spectrum ofExample 306.

Example 311

Cyclopentene was polymerized by [(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ and MMAOaccording to Example 305 to give 0.076 g polymer (45 turnovers/Ni). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, 120° C., d₄-o-dichlorobenzene) is very similar to thespectrum of Example 306.

Example 312

Cyclopentene was polymerized by [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ and MMAOaccording to Example 305 to give 0.66 g polymer (388 turnovers/Ni). Thepolymer was pressed at 292° C. to give a tough film. ¹H NMR (400 MHz,120° C., d₄-o-dichlorobenzene) is very similar to the spectrum ofExample 306. A DSC thermal fractionation experiment was done in which asample was heated to 330° C. at 20° C./minute followed by stepwiseisothermal equilibration at the followed temperatures (times): 280° C.(6 hours), 270° C. (6 hours), 260° C. (6 hours), 250° C. (6 hours), 240°C. (4 hours), 230° C. (4 hours), 220° C. (4 hours), 210° C. (4 hours),200° C. (3 hours), 190° C. (3 hours), 180° C. (3 hours), 170° C. (3hours), 160° C. (3 hours), 150° C. (3 hours). The DSC of this sample wasthen recorded from 0° C. −330° C. at 10° C./min. Tg=98° C., Tm(onset)=185° C., Tm (end)=310° C., Heat of fusion=35 J/g.

Example 313

Cyclopentene was polymerized by [(2-PhPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ and MMAOaccording to Example 305 to give 1.24 g polymer (728 turnovers/Ni). Thepolymer was pressed at 292° C. to give a transparent, light gray,brittle film. DSC (25 to 320° C., 10° C./min, second heat):Tm(onset)=160° C., Tm (end)=285° C., Heat of fusion=33 J/g. ¹H NMR (400MHz, 120° C., d₄-o-dichlorobenzene) is very similar to the spectrum ofExample 306. Several peaks attributed to cyclopentenyl end groups wereobserved in the range 5.2-5.7 ppm. Integration of these peaks was usedto calculate M_(n)=2130. IR (pressed film, cm⁻¹): 3050 (vw, olefinic endgroup, CH stretch), 1615(vw, olefinic end group, cis-CH═CH— double bondstretch), 1463(vs), 1445(vs), 1362(s), 1332(s), 1306(s), 1253(m),1128(w), 1041(w), 935(m), 895(w), 882(w), 792(w), 721(w, olefinic endgroup, cis-CH═CH—, CH bend). GPC (Dissolved in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene at150° C., run at 100° C. in tetrachloroethylene, polystyrenecalibration): Peak MW=13,900; M_(n)=10,300; M_(w)=17,600;M_(w)/M_(n)=1.70.

Example 314

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed into a glass vial inthe dry box (0.032 g, 0.050 mmol). Toluene (2.35 ml ) and cyclopentene(6.81 g, 2,000 equivalents/Ni) were added, followed by C₆H₅NHMe₂ ⁺B(C₆F₅)₄ ⁻ (0.04 g, 50 equivalents/Ni). A solution of Et₃Al was addedwhile stirring (2.5 ml, 1 M in heptane, 50 equivalents/Ni). Afterstirring for 46 hours, the solution was filtered and the solids werewashed several times on the filter with pentane. The polymer was driedin vacuo for 12 hours at room temperature to yield 0.16 g of fine powder(47 turnovers/Ni). A control experiment with no C₆H₅NHMe₂ ⁺ B(C₆F₅)₄ ⁻gave no polymer.

Example 315

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed into a glass vial inthe dry box (0.032 g, 0.050 mmol). Toluene (3.46 ml) and cyclopentene(6.81 g, 2,000 equivalents/Ni) were added. A solution of Et₂AlCl wasadded while stirring (1.39 ml, 1.8 M in toluene, 50 equivalents/Ni).After stirring for 46 hours, the solution was filtered and the solidswere washed several times on the filter with pentane. The polymer wasdried in vacuo for 12 hours at room temperature to yield 0.53 g of finepowder (156 turnovers/Ni).

Example 316

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ was weighed into a glass vial inthe dry box (0.0070 g, 0.0130 mmol). Pentane (2.2 ml ) and cyclopentene(10.0 g, 11,300 equivalents/Ni) were added. A sol on of EtAlCl₂ wasadded while stirring (0.73 ml, 1.0 M in hexanes, 56 equivalents/Ni).After stirring for 192 hours, the solution was filtered and the solidswere washed several times on the filter with pentane. The polymer wasdried in vacuo for 12 hours at room temperature to yield 2.66 g of finepowder (3010 turnovers/Ni). The polymer was mixed with 200 ml of MeOH ita blender at high speed to produce a fine powder. The solid wascollected by filtration and then mixed for 1 hour with 39 ml of a 1:1mixture of MeOH/concentrated aqueous HCl. The solid was collected byfiltration, washed with distilled water, and then washed on the filter3× with 20 ml of a 2 wt. % solution of Irganox® 1010 in acetone. Thepolymer was dried in vacuo for 12 hours at room temperature. DSC (25 to300° C., 10° C./min, controlled cool at 10° C./min, second heat): Tg=98°C., Tm(onset)=160° C., Tm (end)=240° C., Heat of fusion=17 J/g. TGA(air,10° C./min): T(onset of loss)=330° C. T(10% loss)=450° C. ¹³C NMR (500MHz ¹H frequency, 3.1 ml of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 0.060 g Cr(acac)₃,120° C.): 30.640 (s, 2C), 38.364 (s, 1C), 46.528 (s, 2C). This spectrumis consistent with an addition polymer of cyclopentene withcis-1,3-enchainment. A sample of the polymer was melted in a Schlenktube under a nitrogen atmosphere. Fibers were drawn from the moltenpolymer using a stainless steel cannula with a bent tip. A nitrogenpurge was maintained during the fiber drawing. The fibers were tough andcould be drawn about 2× by pulling against a metal surface heated to125° C.

Example 317

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed into a glass vial inthe dry box (0.0093 g, 0.0146 mmol). Cyclopentene (10.0 g, 10,000equivalents/Ni) was added. A solution of EtAlCl₂,was added whilestirring (0.73 ml, 1.0 M in hexanes, 50 equivalents/Ni). After stirringfor 168 hours, the solution was filtered and the solids were washedseveral times on the filter with pentane. The polymer was dried in vacuofor 12 hours at room temperature to yield 4.66 g of fine powder (4660turnovers/Ni). The polymer was mixed with 200 ml of MeOH in a blender athigh speed to produce a fine powder. The solid was collected byfiltration and then mixed for 1 hour with 39 ml of a 1:1 mixture ofMeOH/concentrated aqueous HCl. The solid was collected by filtration,washed with distilled water, and then washed on the filter 3× with 20 mlof a 2 wt. % solution of Irganox 1010 in acetone. The polymer was driedin vacuo for 12 hours at room temperature. DSC (25 to 350° C., 15°C./min, second heat): Tg=97° C., Tm(onset)=160° C., Tm (end)=285° C.,Heat of fusion=25 J/g. ¹³C NMR (500 MHz ¹H frequency, 3.1 ml of1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 0.060 g Cr(acac)₃, 120° C.): 30.604 (s, 2C),38.333 (s, 1C), 46.492 (s, 2C). This spectrum is consistent with anaddition polymer of cyclopentene with cis-1,3-enchainment. A sample ofthe polymer was melted in a Schlenk tube under a nitrogen atmosphere.Fibers were drawn from the molten polymer using a stainless steelcannula with a bent tip. A nitrogen purge was maintained during thefiber drawing. The fibers were tough and could be drawn about 2× bypulling against a metal surface heated to 125° C. GPC (Dissolved in1,2,4-trichlorobenzene at 150° C., run at 100° C. intetrachloroethylene, polystyrene calibration): Peak MW=137,000;M_(n)=73,000; M_(w)=298,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=4.08.

Example 318

The complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(Et₂O)}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ (0.05 g, 0.060mmol) was added to 10.0 g of stirring cyclopentene. Solid polymer formedrapidly and precipitated. The polymer was isolated by filtration, washedon the filter 3× with pentane, and dried in vacuo at room temperature togive 1.148 g finely divided powder (282 turnovers/Pd). DSC (25 to 350°C., 15° C./min, first heat): Tm(onset)=175° C., Tm(end)=245° C., Heat offusion=16 J/g.

Example 319

The complex {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻(0.05 g,0.059 mmol) was added to 10.0 g of stirring cyclopentene. The complex isnot very soluble in cyclopentene. The amount of solids increased slowly.After 27 days, the solid polymer was isolated by filtration, washed onthe filter 3× with pentane, and dried in vacuo at room temperature togive 1.171 g finely divided powder (292 turnovers/Pd). DSC (25 to 35°C., 15° C./min, first heat): Tm(onset)=170° C., Tm (end)=255° C., Heatof fusion=24 J/g.

Example 320

The complex [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ was weighed into a glass vial inthe dry box (0.025 g, 0.040 mmol). Cyclopentene (10.0 g, 1,000equivalents/Ni) was added. A solution of MMAO was added while stirring(0.802 ml, 2.5 M in heptane, 50 equivalents/Ni). After stirring for 5minutes, the mixture was rusty brown and still contained some solids. Anadditional 50 equivalents of MMAO were added and the solution becamehomogeneous. After 12 hours, the mixture was filtered and the solidswere washed several times on the filter with pentane. The polymer wasdried in vacuo for 12 hours at room temperature to yield 0.238 g of finepowder (87 turnovers/Ni). DSC (25 to 350° C., 15° C./min, second heat):Tm(onset)=170° C., Tm (end)=265° C., Heat of fusion=18 J/g.

Example 321

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed into a glass vial inthe dry box (0.0093 g, 0.0146 mmol). Cyclopentene (10.0 g, 10,000equivalents/Ni) and anhydrous methylene chloride (48.5 ml) were added. Asolution of EtAlCl₂ was added while stirring (2.92 ml, 1.0 M in toluene,200 equivalents/Ni). After stirring for 163 hours, the solution wasfiltered and the solids were washed several times on the filter withpentane. The polymer was dried in vacuo for 12 hours at room temperatureto yield 1.64 g of fine powder (1640 turnovers/Ni). A DSC thermalfractionation experiment was done according to the procedure of Example312. A DSC was then recorded from 0° C. to 330° C. at 10° C./min. Tg=92°C., Tm (onset)=150° C., Tm (end)=250° C., Heat of fusion=11.4 J/g.

Example 322

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed into a glass vial inthe dry box (0.0093 g, 0.0146 mmol). Cyclopentene (10.0 g, 10,000equivalents/Ni) was added. A solution of i-BuAlCl₂ was added whilestirring (2.92 ml, 1.0 M in toluene, 200 equivalents/Ni). After stirringfor 163 hours, the solution was filtered and the solids were washedseveral times on the filter with pentane. The polymer was dried in vacuofor 12 hours at room temperature to yield 1.99 g of fine powder (1990turnovers/Ni). The polymer was pressed at 292° C. to give a transparent,light gray, tough film. A DSC thermal fractionation experiment was doneaccording to the procedure of Example 312. A DSC was then recorded from0° C. to 330° C. at 10° C./min. Tg=103° C., Tm (onset)=150° C., Tm(end)=290° C., Heat of fusion=27 J/g.

Example 323

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed into a glass vial inthe dry box (0.0932 g, 0.146 mmol). Cyclopentene (5.0 g, 500equivalents/Ni) and toluene (6.54 ml) were added. A solution of PMAO(Akzo Nobel Polymethylaluminoxane) was added while stirring (3.16 ml,2.32 M Al in toluene, 50 equivalents/Ni). After stirring for 163 hours,the solution was filtered and the solids were washed several times onthe filter with pentane. The polymer was dried in vacuo for 12 hours atroom temperature to yield 3.64 g of fine powder (364 turnovers/Ni). Thepolymer was pressed at 292° C. to give a brown film that seemed tough,but failed along a straight line when it broke. A DSC thermalfractionation experiment was done according to the procedure of Example312 was then recorded from 0° C. to 330° C. at 10° C./min. Tg=100° C.,Tm (onset)=150° C., Tm (end)=270° C., Heat of fusion=21 J/g.

Example 324

A mixture of 20 mg (0.032 mmol) of NiBr₂[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂] wasmagnetically-stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with l5 mLof dry, deaerated toluene as 0.6 mL of 3M poly(methylalumoxane) wasinjected via syringe. The mixture became deep blue-black. Then 2.5 mL(14 mmol) of beta-citronellene, (CH₃)₂C═CHCH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)CH═CH_(2,) wasinjected and the mixture was immediately pressurized with ethylene at190 kPa (absolute) and was stirred at 23° C. for 17 h; by the end of 17h, the solution was too thick to stir. The ethylene was vented and thetoluene solution was stirred with 6N HCl and methanol and was decanted.The polymer was stirred with refluxing methanol for an hour to extractsolvent; oven-drying yielded 0.90 g of rubbery polyethylene. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) showed a CH₂:CH₃ ratio of 83:12, which is 101 CH₃'s per 1000CH₂'s; there were small peaks for the beta-citronellene isopropylidenedimethyls (1.60 and 1.68 ppm), as well as a tiny peak for vinyl H (5.0ppm); diene incorporation was estimated at 0.7mol %. Differentialscanning calorimetry: −51° C. (Tg). GPC data (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.;PE standard): Mn=23,200; Mw=79,200; Mz=154,000; Mw/Mn=3.42.

Example 325

A 15-mg (0.024-mmol) sample of NiBr₂[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂] wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry, deaerated toluene and 5 mL (27 mmol) of dry, deaerated1,9-decadiene. Then 0.6 mL of polymethylalumoxane (1.7M MAO in heptane;contains about 30% isobutyl groups) was injected; the tan suspension didnot change color. The mixture was pressurized with ethylene to 190 kPa(absolute) and was stirred for 1 hr; it began to grow green-gray anddarker in color, so 0.6 mL more MAO was added, after which the mixturesoon turned deep green-black. The reaction was stirred for 16 hr and theethylene was then vented; by this time the solution had become thick andunstirrable. The mixture was stirred with refluxing 6N HCl and methanol,and the polymer was washed with methanol, pressed free of solvent, anddried under high vacuum to yield 1.0 g of rubbery polyethylene. Thepolymer was insoluble in hot dichlorobenzene, demonstratingincorporation of the diene.

Example 326

A 21-mg (0.034-mmol) sample of NiBr₂[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂] wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry, deaerated toluene. Then 0.6 mL of 2.9M polymethylalumoxane wasinjected; the red-brown suspension became deep green. The mixture waspurged with ethylene and then 2.0 mL (1.4 g; 15 mmol) of2-methyl-1,5-hexadiene was added; the mixture was pressurized withethylene to 190 kPa and was stirred for 18 h; the solution became brown.The ethylene was vented and the toluene solution was stirred with 6N HCland methanol and was separated; rotary evaporation of the toluene layeryielded, after acetone washing to remove catalyst, 47 mg of viscousliquid polymer. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) showed a CH₂:CH₃ ratio of 82:15, which is130 CH₃'s per 1000 CH₂'s. There were also peaks for the incorporateddiene at 1.72 ppm (0.5H; CH ₃—C═CH₂) and 4.68 ppm (0.3H; CH₃—C═CH ₂) andno evidence of terminal vinyl (—CH═CH₂; 4.95 and 5.80 ppm) fromunincorporated diene. The level of diene incorporation was about 0.7 mol%.

Example 327

A 30-mg (0.049-mmol) sample of NiBr₂[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂] wasmagnetically stirred under nitrogen in a 50-mL Schlenk flask with 25 mLof dry, deaerated toluene. Then 1.0 mL of methylalumoxane (1.7M inheptane; contains about 30% isobutyl groups) was injected; the red-brownsuspension became deep green. The mixture was saturated with ethyleneand then 0.5 mL (0.38 g; 3.0 mmol) of 2-methyl-2,7-octadiene was added;the mixture was pressurized with ethylene to 190 kPa (absolute) and wasstirred for 18 h; the solution became brown. The ethylene was vented andthe toluene solution was stirred with 6N HCl and methanol and wasseparated; rotary evaporation of the toluene yielded, after acetonewashing to remove catalyst, 0.15 g of viscous liquid polymer. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) showed a CH₂:CH₃ ratio of 81.5:13.5, which is 117 CH₃'s per 1000CH₂'s. The level of diene incorporation was about 0.5-1.0 mol %, judgingfrom the diene isopropylidene methyls at 1.60 and 1.69 ppm.

Examples 328-335

Acrylate Chelate Complexes

The chelate complexes for these examples were generated in situ for NMRstudies by the reaction of [(ArN═C(R)—C(R)═NAr)PdMe(OEt₂)]BAF withH₂C═CHC(O)OR′ and on a preparative scale by the reaction of NaBAF with(ArN═C(R)—C(R)═NAr)PdMeCl and H₂C═CHC(O)OR′ (vide infra). In theseexamples, the following labeling scheme is used to identify thedifferent chelate complexes that were observed and/or isolated.Assignments of all ¹H NMR chelate resonances were confirmed byhomonuclear decoupling experiments.

General Procedure for the Synthesis of Chelate Complexes

A gastight microliter syringe was used to add 1.1 equiv of H₂C═CHC(O)OR′to a mixture of 1 equiv of NaBAF and 1 equiv of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABR₂)PdMeCl suspended in 25 mL of Et₂O. The sides of theSchlenk flask were rinsed with an additional 25 mL of Et₂O and thereaction mixture was stirred for 1-2 days at RT. Sodium chloride wasremoved from the reaction mixture via filtration, yielding a clearorange solution. The Et₂O was removed in vacuo and the product waswashed with hexane and dried in vacuo. For R′=Me or t-Bu, no furtherpurification was necessary (yields >87%). Recrystallization lowered theyield of product and did not result in separation of the isomericmixtures.

For R′═—CH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃, contamination of the product with unreacted NaBAFwas sometimes observed. Filtration of a CH₂Cl₂ solution of the productremoved the NaBAF. The CH₂Cl₂ was then removed in vacuo to yield apartially oily product. A brittle foam was obtained by dissolving theproduct in Et₂O and removing the Et₂O in vacuo (yields >59%). Althoughisolable, chelate complexes derived from FOA tended to be less stablethan those derived from MA or t-BuA and decomposed with time oradditional handling.

Spectral Data for the BAF Counterion

The following ¹H and ¹³C spectroscopic assignments of the BAF counterionin CD₂Cl₂ were invariant for different complexes and temperatures andare not repeated in the spectroscopic data for each of the cationiccomplexes: (BAF). ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂) δ 7.74 (s, 8, H_(o)), 7.57 (s, 4,H_(p)); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂) δ 162.2 (q, J_(CB)=37.4, C_(ipso)), 135.2(C_(o)), 129.3 (q, J_(CF)=31.3, C_(m)), 125.0 (q, J_(CF)=272.5, CF₃),117.9 (C_(p)).

Example 328

The above synthesis using [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl (937 mg, 1.76mmol), NaBAF (1.56 g, 1.75 mmol), and MA (175 μL, 1.1 equiv) wasfollowed and the reaction mixture was stirred for 12 h. The resultingorange powder (2.44 g, 96.0%) consisted of a mixture of 6a(Me) (91%),5′a(Me) (5%), and 5a(Me) (4%), according to ¹H NMR spectroscopy. 6a(Me):¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt) δ 8.31 and 8.26 (s, 1 each,N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.5-7.2 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.17 (s, 3, OMe), 3.14 and3.11 (septet, 2 each, CHMe₂ and C′HMe₂), 2.48 (t, 2, J=5.8, CH₂C(O)),1.75 (t, 2, J=5.8, PdCH₂), 1.38, 1.32, 1.25 and 1.22 (d, 6 each, J=6.8,CHMeMe′ and C′HMeMe′), 0.73 (pentet, 2, J=5.8, PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)); ¹³C NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, rt) δ 183.9 (C(O)), 167.1 (J_(CH)=181.4, N═C(H)),160.7 (J_(CH)=181.3, N═C′(H)), 142.9 and 142.4 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 139.7and 138.7 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 129.8 and 129.0 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 124.6 and124.1 (Ar, Ar′:C_(m)), 55.2 (OMe), 35.9 and 32.3 (PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)), 29.3and 29.1 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 23.8 (PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)), 24.5, 23.9, 23.2 and22.5 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′); IR (CH₂Cl₂) 1640 cm⁻¹ [ν(C(O))]. 5′(H,Me): ¹³CNMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, rt) δ 193.2 (C(O)). Anal. Calcd for(C₆₃H₅₇BF₂₄N₂O₂Pd): C, 52.28; H, 3.97; N, 1.94. Found: C, 52.08; H,3.75; N, 1.61.

Example 329

The above synthesis using [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (634 mg, 1.13mmol), NaBAF (1.00 g, 1.13 mmol), and MA (112 μL, 1.1 equiv) wasfollowed. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 days and the productwas recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂ at −30° C. to give 956 mg of orangecrystals (57.3%, 2 crops). The crystals consisted of a mixture of 6b(Me)(87%), 5′b(Me) (11.5%), and 5b(Me) (1.5%), according to ¹H NMRspectroscopy. 6b(Me): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt) δ 7.43-7.26 (m, 6,H_(aryl)), 3.03 (s, 3, OMe), 2.95 (septet, 2, J=6.79, CHMe₂), 2.93(septet, 2, J=6.83, C″HMe₂), 2.39 (t, 2, J=5.86, CH₂C(O)), 2.22 and 2.20(N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N), 1.41 (t, 2, J=5.74, PdCH₂), 1.37, 1.30, 1.25 and1.21 (s, 6 each, J=6.80-6.94, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 0.66 (pentet, 2,J=5.76, PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, rt) δ 183.4 (C(O)),178.7 and 171.6 (N═C—C′═N), 140.8 and 140.5 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 138.6and 138.0 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 129.3 and 128.3 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 124.9 and124.4 (Ar, Ar′:C_(m)), 54.9 (OMe), 35.8 and 30.3 (PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)), 29.5and 29.2 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 23.7 (PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)), 23.91, 23.86, 23.20and 23.14 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 21.6 and 19.9 (N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N); IR(CH₂Cl₂) 1643 cm⁻¹ [ν(C(O))]. 5′b(Me): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt) δ3.47 (s, 3, OMe), 2.54 (m, 1, CHMeC(O)), 2.19 and 2.18 (s, 3 each,N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N), 1.02 (d, 3, J=7.23, CHMeC(O)); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100MHz, rt) δ 194.5 (C(O)), 179.2 and 172.2 (N═C—C′═N), 55.6 (OMe), 44.3(CHMeC(O)), 28.4 (PdCH₂), 21.2 and 19.6 (N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N), 18.1(CHMeC(O)). 5b(Me): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt) δ 0.26 (d, 3, PdCHMe).Anal. Calcd for (C₆₅H₆₁BF₂₄N₂O₂Pd): C, 52.92; H, 4.17; N, 1.90. Found:C, 52.91; H, 4.09; N, 1.68.

Example 330

The above synthesis was followed using [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]PdMeCl (744mg, 1.13 mmol), NaBAF (1.00 g, 1.13 mmol), and MA (112 μL, 1.1 equiv).The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 days and the product wasrecrystallized from CH₂Cl₂ at −30° C. to give 600 mg (33.8%, 2 crops) ofa mixture of 6c(Me) (85%), 5′c(Me) (8%), 5″c(Me) (6%), and 5c(Me) (1%),according to ¹H NMR spectroscopy. 6c(Me): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂) 400 MHz, rt) δ8.17 (d, 1, J=8.37, An:H_(p)), 8.15 (d, 1, J=3.49, An′:H′_(p)),7.62-7.40 (m, 8, An, An′:H_(m), H′_(m); Ar:H_(m), H_(p); Ar′:H′m,H′_(p)), 7.08 (d, 1, J=7.19, An:H_(o)), 6.60 (d, 1, J=7.44, An′:H′_(o)),3.37 (septet, 2, J=6.79, CHMe₂), 3.33 (septet, 2, J=6.86, C′HMe₂), 2.55(t, 2, J=5.93, CH₂C(O)), 1.79 (t, 2, J=5.66, PdCH₂), 1.45, 1.42, 1.13and 1.02 (d, 6 each, J=6.79-6.90, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 0.80 (pentet, 2,J=5.82, PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, rt) δ 183.5 (C(O)),175.3 and 168.7 (N═C—C′═N), 145.9 (An:quaternary C), 141.3 and 140.5(Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 139.7 and 138.4 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 133.3 and 132.6(An:CH), 131.9 (An:quaternary C), 129.8, 129.7, 129.6 and 128.5 (Ar,Ar′:C_(p); An:CH), 126.44 and 125.8 (An:quaternary C), 126.4 and 125.6(An:CH), 125.5 and 124.6 (Ar, Ar′:C_(m)), 55.0 (OMe), 35.9 and 31.3(PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)), 29.7 and 29.4 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 24.1(PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)), 24.1, 23.8, 23.32 and 23.27 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′); IR(CH₂Cl₂) 1644 cm⁻¹ [ν(C(O))]. 5′c(Me): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt) δ3.64 (s, 3, OMe), 2.70 (m, 1, CHMeC(O)); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, rt) δ192.8 (C(O)). 5″c(Me): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt) δ 3.67 (s, 3, OMe),2.46 (t, 2, J=6.99, CH₂C(O)), 1.72 (t, 2, J=7.04, PdCH₂). 5c(Me): ¹H NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt) δ 0.44 (d, 3, PdCHMe). Anal. Calcd for(C₇₃H₆₁BF₂₄N₂O₂Pd): C, 55.80; H, 3.91; N, 1.78. Found: C, 55.76; H,3.82; N, 1.62.

Example 331

The above synthesis was followed using [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl (509mg, 0.954 mmol), NaBAF (845 mg, 0.953 mmol), and t-BuA (154 μL, 1.1equiv). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 day and yielded an orangepowder (1.24 g, 87.3%) that was composed of a mixture of 6a(t-Bu) (50%),5′a(t-Bu) (42%), and 5a(t-Bu) (8%), according to ¹H NMR spectroscopy.6a(t-Bu): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt) δ 8.27 and 8.25 (N═C(H)—C′(H)═N),7.45-7.20 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.20 and 3.11 (septet, 2 each, J=6.9, CHMe₂and C′HMe₂), 2.42 (t, 2, J=5.9, CH₂C(O)), 1.77 (t, 2, J=5.3, PdCH₂),1.39, 1.36, 1.22 and 1.21 (d, 6 each, J=6.7, CHMeMe′ and C′HMeMe′), 1.01(s, 9, OCMe₃), 0.68 (pentet, 2, J=6.1, PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)); ¹³C NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, rt, excluding Ar resonances) δ 182.6 (C(O)), 88.8(OCMe₃), 37.8, 33.6 and 23.9 (PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)), 29.3 and 29.0 (CHMe₂,C′HMe₂), 27.8 (OCMe₃), 24.8, 24.5, 22.7 and 22.6 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′); IR(CH₂Cl₂) 1615 cm⁻¹ [ν(C(O))]; 5′a(t-Bu): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt;excluding Ar and i-Pr resonances) δ 8.29 and 8.22 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C(H)═N), 2.53 (q, 1, J=7.3 C(H) (Me)C(O)), 1.75 (d, 1, J=8.9, PdCHH′),1.53 (dd, 1, J=9.0, 7.0, PdCHH′), 1.16 (OCMe₃); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100MHz, rt; excluding Ar resonances) δ 194.0 (C(O)), 90.6 (OCMe₃), 45.9(CHMeC(O)), 30.0 (PdCH₂), 29.4, 29.3, 29.1 and 29.1

(CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂, C′″HMe₂), 27.7 (OCMe₃), 24.6, 24.4, 23.81,23.79, 23.3, 23.3, 22.62 and 22.58 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′, C″HMeMe′,C′″HMeMe′), 18.7 (CHMeC(O)); IR (CH₂Cl₂) 1577 cm⁻¹ [ν(C(O))]. 5a(t-Bu):¹H NMR (vide infra); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, rt) δ 190.4 (C(O)), 166.7and 160.7 (N═C—C′═N), 48.1 (CH₂C(O)), 35.3 (PdCHMe). Anal. Calcd for(C₆₆H₆₃BF₂₄N₂O₂Pd): C, 53.22; H, 4.26; N, 1.88. Found: C, 53.55; H,4.20; N, 1.59.

Example 332

The above synthesis using [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (499 mg, 0.889mmol), NaBAF (786 mg, 0.887 mmol), and t-BuA (145 μL, 1.1 equiv) wasfollowed. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 day to yield an orangepowder (1.24 g, 91.8%) that consisted of a mixture of 6b(t-Bu) (26%),5′b(t-Bu) (63%), and 5b(t-Bu) (11%), according to ¹H NMR spectroscopy.¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, rt; diagnostic resonances only) 6b(t-Bu): δ2.35 (t, 2, J=6.1, CH₂C(O)), 0.97 (s, 9, OCMe₃), 0.60 (pentet, 2, J=5.7,PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)); 5′b(t-Bu): δ 2.43 (q, 1, J=7.2, CHMeC(O)), 1.08 (s, 9,OCMe₃); 5b(t-Bu): δ 0.99 (s, 9, OCMe₃), 0.29 (d, 3, J=6.74, PdCHMe); ¹³CNMR (CD₂Cl₂, 75 MHz, rt; diagnostic resonances only) 6b(t-Bu): δ 182.3(C(O)), 88.3 (OCMe₃), 37.9 and 31.9 (PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)),. 27.9 (OCMe₃),22.0 and 20.1 (N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N); 5′b(t-Bu): δ 193.8 (C(O)), 178.8 and171.8 (N═C—C′═N), 90.0 (OCMe₃), 45.8 (CHMeC(O)), 28.7 (PdCH₂), 21.1 and19.6 (N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N), 18.6 (CHMeC(O)); 5b(t-Bu) δ 190.7 (C(O)), 48.4(CH₂C(O)), 33.9 (PdCHMe). Anal. Calcd for (C₆₈H₆₇BF₂₄N₂O₂Pd): C, 53.82;H, 4.45; N, 1.85. Found: C, 53.62; H, 4.32; N, 1.55.

Example 333

The above synthesis was followed using [(2,6-i-Pr-Ph)₂DABAn]PdMeCl (503mg, 0.765 mmol), NaBAF (687 mg, 0.765 mmol), and t-BuA (125 μL, 1.1equiv). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 day to yield an orangepowder (1.08 g, 87.8%) that consisted of a mixture of 6c(t-Bu) (47%),5′c(t-Bu) (50%), and 5c(t-Bu) (3%), according to ¹H NMR spectroscopy. ¹HNMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, rt; diagnostic chelate resonances only) 6c(t-Bu):δ 2.48 (t, 2, J=6.05, CH₂C(O)), 1.80 (t, 2, PdCH₂), 1.07 (s, 9, OCMe₃),0.73 (pentet, 2, J=5.87, PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)); 5′c(t-Bu): δ 2.57 (q, 1,J=6.96, CHMeC(O)), 1.58 (dd, 1, J=8.80, 6.96, PdCHH′), 1.21 (s, 9,OCMe₃); 5c(t-Bu): δ 0.73 (d, 3, PdCHMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 75 MHz, rt;diagnostic chelate resonances only) 6c(t-Bu): δ 181.8 (C(O)), 87.9(OCMe₃), 37.4 and 32.2 (PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)), 27.4 (OCMe₃); 5′c(t-Bu): δ193.0 (C(O)), 89.5 (OCMe₃), 45.5 (CHMeC(O)), 28.5 (PdCH₂), 27.2 (OCMe₃),18.1 (CHMeC(O)). Anal. Calcd for (C₇₆H₆₇BF₂₄N₂O₂Pd): C, 56.57; H, 4.19;N, 1.74. Found: C, 56.63; H, 4.06; N, 1.52.

Example 334

The above synthesis using [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl (601 mg, 1.13mmol), NaBAF (998 mg, 1.13 mmol), and FOA (337 μL, 1.1 equiv) yieldedafter 1 day of stirring 1.21 g (59.2%) of 6a(FOA) as a red foam: ¹H NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, 0_(i) C.) δ 8.33 and 8.27 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)-C′(H)═N),7.4-7.2 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.85 (t, 2, J^(HF)=13.05, OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃), 3.13and 3.08 (septet, 2 each, J=6.9, CHMe₂ and C′HMe₂), 2.65 (t, 2, J=5.62,CH₂C(O)), 1.74 (t, 2, J=5.59, PdCH₂), 1.36, 1.29, 1.15 and 1.13 (d, 6each, J=6.73-6.82, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 0.76 (pentet, 2, J=5.44,PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)).

Example 335

The above synthesis using [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (637 mg, 1.13mmol), NaBAF (1.00 g, 1.13 mmol), and FOA (339 μL, 1.1 equiv) yieldedafter 1 day of stirring 1.36 g (65.2w) of 6b(FOA) as a yellow foam: ¹HNMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, 0_(i) C.) δ 7.5-7.0 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.64 (t, 2,J_(HF)=12.72, OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃), 2.90 and 2.88 (septet, 2, J=6.74, CHMe₂and C′HMe₂), 2.56 (t, 2, J=5.82, CH₂C(O)), 2.32 and 2.22(N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N), 1.34, 1.27, 1.23 and 1.19 (d, 6 each, J=6.75-6.82,CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 0.68 (pentet, 2, J=5.83, PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)).

Examples 336-338

The labeling scheme given in Examples 328-335 is also used here.Spectral data for the BAF counterion is the same as given in Examples328-335.

Low-Temperature NMR Observation of Methyl Acrylate Olefin ComplexFormation and Chelate Formation and Rearrangement

One equivalent of MA was added to an NMR tube containing a 0.0198 Msolution of {[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABH₂]pdMe(OEt₂)]}BAF in CD₂Cl₂ (700 μL) at−78° C., and the tube was transferred to the precooled NMR probe. After14.25 min at −80° C., approximately 80% of the ether adduct had beenconverted to the olefin complex. Two sets of bound olefin resonanceswere observed in a 86:14 ratio. This observation is consistent with theexistence of two different rotamers of the olefin complex. Insertion ofMA into the Pd-Me bond occurred with predominantly 2,1 regiochemistry togive the 4-membered chelate 4a(Me) at −80_(i) C. (t_(½)˜2.0 h). Theresonances for the major rotamer of the olefin complex disappearedbefore those of the minor rotamer. Much slower conversion of 4a(Me) tothe 5-membered chelate 5a(Me) also began at −80° C. Upon warming to −60°C., complete and selective formation of 5a(Me) occurred in less than 4h. The 5-membered chelate was relatively stable at temperatures below−50° C., however, upon warming to −20° C., rearrangement to the6-membered chelate 6a(Me) was observed. NMR spectral data for the olefincomplex, 4a(Me), and 5a(Me) follow. Spectral data for 6a(Me) isidentical to that of the isolated chelate complex (see Examples328-335).

Example 336

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd(Me) [H₂C═CHC(O)OMe]}BAF. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, −80°C., 400 MHz) Major Rotamer: δ 8.45 and 8.32 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N),7.5-7.1 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 5.14 (d, J=15.2, HH′C═), 4.96 (dd, J=14.9,8.6, ═CHC(O)), 4.63 (d, J=8.5, HH′C═), 3.68 (s, 3, OMe), 3.03, 2.90,2.80 and 2.67 (septet, 1 each, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂, C′″HMe₂), 1.5-1.0(doublets, 24, CHMe₂), 0.61 (s, 3, PdMe); Minor Rotamer: δ 8.25 and 8.18(s, 1 each, N═C (H))—C′(H)═N), 5.25 (d, 1, HH′C═), 4.78 (dd, 1,═CHC(O)), 4.58 (d, 1, HH′C═), 3.63 (OMe).

Example 337

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CHEtC(O)OMe]}BAF 4a(Me). ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400MHz, −60° C.) δ 8.25 and 8.22 (N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.5-7.2 (m, 6,H_(aryl)), 3.74 (s, 3, OMe), 3.55, 3.27, 3.08 and 2.76 (m, 1 each,CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂, C′″HMe₂), 2.62 (dd, J=10.8, 2.9, CHEt), 1.4-1.0(doublets, 24, CHMe₂), 0.79 and −0.49 (m, 1 each, CH(CHH′Me)), 0.71 (t,3, J=6.6, CH(CHH′Me)).

Example 338

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CHMeCH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF 5a(Me). 1H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400MHz, −60_(i) C.) δ 8.24 and 8.21 (N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.4-7.2 (m, 6,H_(aryl)), 3.59 (s, 3, OMe), 3.47, 3.32, 2.98 and 2.81 (septet, 1 each,CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂, C′″HMe₂), 3.08 (dd, 1, J=18.4, 7.3, CHH′C(O)),1.74 (pentet, 1, J=6.9, PdCHMe), 1.60 (d, 1, J=18.6, CHH′C(O)), 1.34 (d,6, J=5.6, C′HMeMe′ and C′″HMeMe′), 1.32 (d, 3, J=6.2, CHMeMe′), 1.24 (d,3, J=6.8, C″HMeMe′), 1.18 (d, 6, J=6.8, C′HMeMe′ and C″HMeMe′), 1.15 (d,3, J=6.8, C′″HMeMe′), 1.08 (d, 3, CHMeMe′), 0.35 (d, 3, J=6.9, PdCHMe);¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, −80° C.) δ 190.5 (C(O)), 166.1 (J_(CH)=181,N═C(H)), 160.7 (J_(CH)=181, N═C′(H)), 142.8 and 141.6 (Ar,Ar′:C_(ipso)), 139.0, 138.6, 138.2 and 137.7 (Ar:C_(o), C_(o)′ andAr′:C_(o), C_(o)′), 128.8 and 128.2 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 124.1, 123.54,123.48, 123.4 (Ar:C_(m), C_(m)′ and Ar′:C_(m), C_(m)′), 55.5 (OMe), 45.1(CH₂C(O)), 35.6 (PdCHMe), 28.8, 28.5, 28.1 and 27.8 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂,C″HMe₂, C′″HMe₂), 25.6, 24.2, 23.1, 23.0, 22.7, 22.3, 21.9, 21.3, and21.3 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′, C″HMeMe′, C′″HMeMe′ and PdCHMe).

Example 339-342

The labeling scheme given in Examples 328-335 is also used for Examples339-342. Spectral data for the BAF counterion is the same as given inExamples 328-335.

Low-Temperature NMR Observation of t-Butyl Acrylate Olefin ComplexFormation and Chelate Formation and Rearrangement

One equiv of t-BuA was added to an NMR tube containing a 0.0323 Msolution of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF in CD₂Cl₂ (700 μL) at−78° C., and the tube was transferred to the precooled NMR probe. Theolefin complex was observed at −80° C., and the probe was then warmed to−70° C. After 1 h at −70° C., conversion to 5a(t-Bu) and 5′a(t-Bu) wasalmost complete, with small amounts (<10%) of the olefin complex and4a(t-Bu) still present. Conversion of 5a(t-Bu) to 6a(t-Bu) was followedat −10° C. (t_(½)˜1 h). When this experiment was repeated using 5 equivof t-BuA, conversion to 5a, 5′a and 6a was observed at −80° C. Afterallowing the solution to stand at rt for 5 days, partial conversion tothe unsubstituted 5-membered chelate 5″a(t-Bu) was observed. Spectraldata for the olefin complex, 4a(t-Bu), 5a(t-Bu) and 5″a(t-Bu) follow.Spectral data for 5′a(t-Bu) and 6a(t-Bu) are identical to that of theisolated chelate complexes (see Examples 328-335).

Example 339

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe[H₂C═CHC(O)O-t-Bu]}BAF. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400MHz, −80_(i) C.) δ 8.45 and 8.30 (s, 1 each N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.4-7.2 (m,6, H_(aryl)), 5.15 (d, 1, J=15.3, HH′C═), 4.89 (dd, 1, J=14.7, 8.4,═CHC(O)), 4.61 (d, 1, J=7.7, HH′C═), 2.92, 2.90, 2.80 and 2.64 (septets,1 each, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), C″HMe₂ and C′″HMe₂), 1.31 (s, 9, OCMe₃), 1.5-0.8(doublets, 24, CHMe₂), 0.60 (s, 3, PdMe).

Example 340

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CHEtC(O)O-t-Bu]}BAF 4a(t-Bu). ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂,400 MHz, −70° C.) δ 8.22 and 8.21 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 2.21 (d,1, J=9.2, PdCHEt), 0.71 (t, 3, J=7.9, PdCH(CH₂Me)), 0.5 and −0.4 (br m,1 each, PdCH(CHH′Me)).

Example 341

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CHMeCH₂C(O)O-t-Bu]}BAF 5a(t-Bu). ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂,400 MHz, −40° C.) δ 8.28 and 8.24 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.4-7.2(m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.44, 3.32, 2.96 and 2.86 (septet, 1 each, CHMe₂,C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂, C′″HMe₂), 2.94 (dd, 1, J=18.6, 7.1, CHH′C(O)), 1.79(pentet, 1, J=6.7, PdCHMe), 1.62 (d, 1, J=18.5, CHH′C(O)), 1.4-1.0(doublets, 24, CHMe₂), 1.10 (s, 9, OCMe₃), 0.22 (d, 3, J=6.9, PdCHMe).

Example 342

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CH₂CH₂C(O)O-t-Bu]}BAF 5″a(t-Bu). ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂,400 MHz, rt) δ 2.40 (t, 2, J=7.0, CH₂C(O)), 1.65 (t, 2, J=7.0, PdCH₂).

Example 343

The labeling scheme given in Examples 328-335 is also used for Example343. Spectral data for the BAF counterion is the same as given inExamples 328-335.

Low-Temperature NMR Observation of FOA Chelate Formation andRearrangement

One equiv of FOA was added to an NMR tube containing a 0.0285 M solutionof {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF (1a) at −78_(i) C. in CD₂Cl₂ (700μL), and the tube was briefly shaken at this temperature. A ¹H NMRspectrum at −80° C. showed that FOA was not dissolved. The sample wasallowed to warm slightly as it was shaken again and another spectrum wasthen acquired at −80° C. Approximately equal amounts of 5a(FOA) and6a(FOA) were observed along with small amounts of the ether adduct 1aand FOA (an olefin complex was not observed). Rearrangement of 5a(FOA)to 6a(FOA) was observed at −40° C. and was complete upon warming to −30°C. NMR spectral data for 5a(FOA) follow. Spectral data for 6a(FOA) areidentical with that of the isolated complex (vide supra).

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CHMeCH₂C(O)OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃]}BAF 5a(FOA). ¹H NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, −40_(i)C.) δ 8.23 and 8.22 (s, 1 each,N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 3.47 (t, 2, J_(HF)=13.38, OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃), 3.20 (dd, 1,J=19.25, 7.28, CHH′C(O)), 2.58 (pentet, 1, J=6.99, PdCHMe), 1.77 (d, 1,J=19.81, CHH′C(O)), 0.33 (d, 3, J=6.88, PdCHMe). Spectral data for theBAF counterion is the same as given in Examples 328-335.

Example 344

NMR Observation of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CHR″CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF and{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF. A solution of{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF (21.5 mg, 0.0150 mmol) in 700 μL ofCD₂Cl₂ was prepared at −78° C. Ethylene (5 equiv) was added via gastightsyringe and the tube was shaken briefly to dissolve the ethylene. Methylacrylate (5 equiv) was then added to the solution, also via gastightmicroliter syringe, and the tube was shaken briefly again. The tube wastransferred to the NMR probe, which was precooled to −80° C. Resonancesconsistent with the formation of the ethylene adduct{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMe(H₂C═CH₂)}BAF were observed. The solution waswarmed and ethylene insertion was monitored at −40 to −20° C. Theconsumption of one equiv of methyl acrylate occurred as the last equivof ethylene disappeared, and resonances consistent with the formation ofa substituted 6-membered chelate complex{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CHR″CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF were observed [8.30 and8.29 (N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 3.17 (OMe)]. The large upfield shift of themethoxy resonance is particularly diagnostic for formation of the6-membered chelate complex in these systems. The substituted 6-memberedchelate complex was observed at −20° C. and initially upon warming toRT. After 2 h at RT, decomposition of the substituted 6-membered chelatecomplex had begun. After 24 h at RT, an additional 0.5 equiv of MA hadbeen consumed and triplets at 2.42 and 1.66 ppm, consistent with theformation of the unsubstituted 5-membered chelate complex{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF, were observed. Spectral datafor the BAF counterion is the same as given in Examples 328-335.

Example 345

NMR Observation of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd (CHR″CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF. Theprocedure of Example 344 was followed with analogous results, e.g.,resonances for the formation of a substituted 6-membered chelate complex{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd[CHR″CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF were observed followingcomplete ethylene consumption [3.03 (s, OMe), 3.12, 2.96, 2.89, 2.83(septets, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂ and C′″HMe₂), 2.23 and 2.19 (s,N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N)]. Again, the large upfield shift of the methoxyresonance is diagnostic for the formation of the six-membered chelatecomplex. The observation of four i-propyl methine resonances (vs. twoi-propyl methine resonances in the unsubstituted six-membered chelatecomplex) reflects the asymmetry introduced in the molecule due to theintroduction of the R″ substituent on C_(α) of the chelate ring andfurther supports the proposed structure. Spectral data for the BAFcounterion is the same as given in Examples 328-335.

Example 346

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd(H₂C═CH₂)[CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF. Ethylene wastransferred at −78° C. via gastight microliter syringe to an NMR tubecontaining a CD₂Cl₂ solution of the chelate complex{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF. NMR data for the ethylenecomplex follow; it was observed in equilibrium with the starting chelatecomplex: ¹HÊNMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, 182° K) δ 8.30 and 8.29 (s, 1 each,N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.38-7.24 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.72 (s, 3, OMe), 3.43 (brs, 4, H₂C═CH₂), 3.10 (m, 2, CHMe₂), 2.70 (m, 2, C″HMe₂), 2.20 (m, 2,CH₂C(O)), 1.25, 1.16, 1.09 and 1.07 (d, 6 each, J=7, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′),1.20 (PdCH₂ (obscured by CHMeMe′ peaks, observed by H,H-COSY)), 0.56 (m,2, PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −80° C.) δ 178.9 (C(O)),162.7 (J_(CH)=179, N═C), 162.5 (J_(CH)=179, N═C′), 141.3 and 140.5 (Ar,Ar′:C_(ipso)), 138.5 and 138.1 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 128.5 and 128.3 (Ar,Ar′:C_(p)), 124.1 and 124.0 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 122.9 (J_(CH)=159.3, freeH₂C═CH₂), 70.2 (J_(CH)=158.6, bound H₂C═CH₂), 53.0 (OMe), 36.5, 33.0 and22.6 (PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)), 27.8 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 25.6, 25.3, 22.1 and 21.4(CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′). Spectral data for the BAF counterion is the same asgiven in Examples 328-335.

Example 347

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(H₂C═CH₂)[(CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF. Ethylene wastransferred at −78° C. via gastight microliter syringe to an NMR tubecontaining a CD₂Cl₂ solution of the chelate complex{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd[CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF. NMR data for theethylene complex follow; even at low temperature and in the presence ofa large excess of ethylene, this complex could only be observed in thepresence of at least an equimolar amount of the correspondingsix-membered chelate: ¹HÊNMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, 172° K): δ 7.35-7.19 (m,6, H_(aryl)), 4.31 (br s, 4, H₂C═CH₂), 3.45 (s, 3, OMe), 2.73-2.54 (m,4, CHMe₂), 2.38 and 2.22 (s, 3 each, N═C(Me)—C′(Me)═N), 1.64 (m, 2,CH₂C(O)), 1.02 (d, 6, J=6, CHMeMe″). From the available H,H-COSY data,the remaining PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)— and CHMe-signals could not beunambiguously assigned, due to the presence of the six-membered chelate.Spectral data for the BAF counterion is the same as given in Examples328-335.

Example 348

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Pd(H₂C═CH₂)[CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF. Ethylene wastransferred at −78° C. via gastight microliter syringe to an NMR tubecontaining a CD₂Cl₂ solution of the chelate complex{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn}Pd(CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe)]BAF. NMR data for the ethylenecomplex follow; it was observed in equilibrium with the starting chelatecomplex: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, 178° K): δ 8.06 and 8.02 (d, J=8, 1each, An and An′:H_(p) and H′_(p)), 7.50-7.38 (m, 8, An and An′:H′_(m)and H_(m), Ar:H_(m) and H_(p)), 6.48 (d, J=7, 2, An and An′:H_(o) andH′_(o)), 4.56 (br s, 4, H₂C═CH₂), 3.45 (s, 3, OMe), 2.99 and 2.91 (m, 2each, CHMe₂ and C′HMe₂), 1.77 (m, 2, CH₂C(O)), 1.29, 1.27, 0.82 and 0.77(d, J=6-7, 6 each, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′). H,H-COSY reveals that theremaining PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)-signals are obscured by the CHMe-signals at1.2 ppm. Spectral data for the BAF counterion is the same as given inExamples 328-335.

Example 349

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃](H₂C═CH₂)}BAF.Ethylene (0.78 equiv) was added via gastight microliter syringe to a0.0105 M solution of the chelate complex{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd[CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃]}BAF in CD₂Cl₂ (700μL). NMR data for the ethylene complex follow; it was observed inequilibrium with the starting chelate complex: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz,213.0° K) δ 8.40 and 8.25 (N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.5-7.1 (m, 6, H_(aryl)),4.50 (t, 2, J_(HF)=13.39, OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃), 4.41 (s, 4, H₂C═CH₂), 2.94 and2.70 (septet, 2 each, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂), 1.80 (t, 3, CH₂C(O)), 1.4-1.0(CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′, PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)). Spectral data for the BAFcounterion is the same as given in Examples 328-335.

Example 350

A 12 mg (0.02 mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was placed in a25 mL high pressure cell. The reactor was purged with argon. The reactorwas cooled to 0° C. before 2 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene wasadded under a positive argon purge. The reactor was filled (¾ full) withliquid CO₂ (4.5 MPa) and a 689 kPa head pressure of ethylene was addedby continuous flow. A 6 degree exotherm was observed. A layer ofpolyethylene formed immediately at the ethylene CO₂ interface. After 20minutes, the cell was vented and the polyethylene removed from thereactor. The polymer was dried in vacuo for several hours. Polyethylene(2.05 g) was isolated; M_(n)=597,000, M_(w)/M_(n)=2.29, T_(m)=128° C.This example demonstrates the applicability of liquid CO₂ as a solventfor polymerization in these catalyst systems.

Example 351

A 12 mg (0.02 mmol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was placed in a25 mL high pressure cell and the reactor was purged with argon. Thereactor was heated to 40° C. and 2 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluenewas added. CO₂ (20.7 MPa) and ethylene (3.5 MPa, continuous flow) wasthen added to the reactor. Polyethylene began adhering to the sapphirewindow within minutes. After 20 minutes, the cell was vented and thepolyethylene removed from the reactor. The polymer was dried in vacuofor several hours. Polyethylene (0.95 g) was isolated; M_(n)=249,000,M_(w)/M_(n)=2.69, T_(m)=113° C. This example demonstrates theapplicability of supercritical CO₂ as a solvent for polymerization inthese catalyst systems.

Example 352

A standard solution of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was prepared asfollows: 1,2-difluorobenzene (10 mL) was added to 6.0 mg of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (8.4×10⁻⁶ mol) in a 10 mL volumetric flask.The standard solution was transferred to a Kontes flask and stored underan argon atmosphere.

A 1000 mL Parr® stirred autoclave under an argon atmosphere, was chargedwith 1 mL of a standard solution of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (8.3×10⁻⁷mol), and 200 mL of dry, deaerated toluene. The reactor was purged withethylene before addition of 2 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 1.4 MPa as theinternal temperature increased from 25° C. to 45° C. within seconds.Activation of the internal cooling system returned the reactortemperature to 30° C. After 10 minutes, the ethylene was vented andacetone and water were added to quench the reaction. Solid polyethylenewas recovered from the reactor collected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O,and acetone. The resulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnightto yield 7.0 g (1.8×10⁶ TO/h) of polyethylene. Differential scanningcalorimetry: T_(m)=118° C. (133 J/g). Gel permeation chromatography(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aspolyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=470,000;M_(w)=1,008,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.14. ¹³C-NMR analysis: total methyls/1000CH₂ (27.6), methyl (21.7), ethyl (2.6), propyl (0.7), butyl (1), amyl(0.4).

Example 353

A 1000 mL Parr® stirred autoclave under an argon atmosphere, was chargedwith 1 mL of a standard solution of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (8.3×10⁻⁷mol), and 200 mL of dry, deaerated toluene. The reactor was purged withethylene before addition of 2 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 2.8 MPa as theinternal temperature increased from 25° C. to 48° C. within seconds.Activation of the internal cooling system returned the reactortemperature to ˜30° C. After 10 minutes, the ethylene was vented andacetone and water were added to quench the reaction. Solid polyethylenewas recovered from the reactor collected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O,and acetone. The resulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnightto yield 8.85 g (2.3×10⁶ TO/h) of polyethylene. DSC: T_(m)=122° C. GPC(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aspolyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=485,000;M_(w)=1,042,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.15. ¹³C-NMR analysis: total methyls/1000CH₂ (21.3), methyl (16.3), ethyl (2.1), propyl (0.7), butyl (0.9), amyl(0.2).

Example 354

A 1000 mL Parr® stirred autoclave under an argon atmosphere, was chargedwith 1 mL of a standard solution of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (8.3×10⁻⁷mol), and 200 mL of dry, deaerated toluene. The reactor was purged withethylene before addition of 2 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 4.1 MPa as theinternal temperature increased from 25° C. to 45° C. within seconds.Activation of the internal cooling system returned the reactortemperature to ˜30° C. After 10 min, the ethylene was vented and acetoneand water were added to quench the reaction. Solid polyethylene wasrecovered from the reactor collected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, andacetone. The resulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnight toyield 7.45 g (1.9×10⁶ TO/h) of polyethylene. DSC: T_(m)=126° C. GPC(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aspolyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=510,000;M_(w)=1,109,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.17. ¹³C-NMR analysis: total methyls/1000CH₂ (5.1), methyl (5.1), ethyl (0), propyl (0), butyl (0), amyl (0).

Example 355

A 1 mg (1.7×10⁻⁶ mol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ was placed ina Parr® 1000 mL stirred autoclave under argon. The autoclave was sealedand 200 mL of dry toluene was added. The reactor was purged withethylene before addition of 1.5 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 1.4 MPa as theinternal temperature increased from 25° C. to 45° C. within seconds.Activation of the internal cooling system returned the reactortemperature to ˜30° C. After 10 min, the ethylene was vented and acetoneand water were added to quench the reaction. Solid polyethylene wasrecovered from the reactor collected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, andacetone. The resulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnight toyield 14.1 g (1.8×10⁶ TO/h) of polyethylene. DSC: T_(m)=126° C. (151J/g). GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, resultscalculated as polyethylene using universal calibration theory):M_(n)=32,000; M_(w)=89,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.75.

Example 356

A 1 mg (1.7×10⁻⁶ mol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ was placed ina Parr® 1000 mL stirred autoclave under argon. The autoclave was sealedand 200 mL of dry toluene was added. The reactor was purged withethylene before addition of 1.5 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 2.1 MPa as theinternal temperature increased from 25° C. to 50° C. within seconds.Activation of the internal cooling system returned the reactortemperature to ˜30° C. After 10 min, the ethylene was vented and acetoneand water were added to quench the reaction. Solid polyethylene wasrecovered from the reactor collected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, andacetone. The resulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnight toyield 16.1 g (2×10⁶ TO/h) of polyethylene. DSC: T_(m)=129° C. (175 J/g).GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135C., polystyrene reference, results calculatedas polyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=40,000;M_(w)=89,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.22.

Example 357

A 1.2 mg (1.9×10⁻⁶ mol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ was placedin a Parr® 1000 mL stirred autoclave under argon. The autoclave wassealed and 200 mL of dry toluene was added. The reactor was purged withethylene before addition of 2.0 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 1.4 MPa as theinternal temperature increased from 24° C. to 31° C. within seconds.Activation of the internal cooling system returned the reactortemperature to ˜25° C. After 12 min, the ethylene was vented and acetoneand water were added to quench the reaction. Solid polyethylene wasrecovered from the reactor collected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, andacetone. The resulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnight toyield 8 g (9×10⁵ TO/h) of polyethylene. DSC: Broad melt beginningapproximately 0° C. with a maximum at 81° C. (25 J/g). GPC(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference, results calculated aspolyethylene using universal calibration theory): M_(n)=468,000;M_(w)=1,300,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.81. ¹³C-NMR analysis: total methyls/1000CH₂ (46.6), methyl (37.0), ethyl (2.4), propyl (1.6), butyl (1.3), amyl(1.4).

Example 358

A 1.2 mg (1.9×10⁻⁶ mol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ was placedin a Parr® 1000 mL stirred autoclave under argon. The autoclave wassealed and 200 mL of dry toluene was added. The reactor was purged withethylene before addition of 2.0 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 2.8 MPa as theinternal temperature increased from 24° C. to 34° C. within seconds.After 12 min, the ethylene was vented and acetone and water were addedto quench the reaction. Solid polyethylene was recovered from thereactor collected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. Theresulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 6.5 g(6×10⁵ TO/h) of polyethylene. DSC: Broad melt beginning approximately60° C. with a maximum at 109° C. (80 J/g). GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135°C., polystyrene reference, results calculated as polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=616,000; M_(w)=1,500,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=2.52. ¹³C-NMR analysis: total methyls/1000 CH₂ (32.0),methyl (24.6), ethyl (2.6), propyl (1.3), butyl (0.6), amyl (1.3).

Example 359

A 1.2 mg (1.9×10⁻⁶ mol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ was placedin a Parr® 1000 mL stirred autoclave under argon. The autoclave wassealed and 200 mL of dry toluene was added. The reactor was purged withethylene before addition of 2.0 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 4.1 MPa. After 12min, the ethylene was vented and acetone and water were added to quenchthe reaction. Solid polyethylene was recovered from the reactorcollected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. The resultingpolymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 7.2 g (7×10⁵TO/h) of polyethylene. GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135_(i) C., polystyrenereference, results calculated as polyethylene using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=800,000; M_(w)=1,900,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.43.¹³C-NMR analysis: total methyls/1000 CH₂ (18.7), methyl (14.9), ethyl(1.7), propyl (1.1), butyl (0.3), amyl (0.4).

Example 360

A 1.5 mg (2.4×10⁻⁶ mol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ and 200 mLof dry toluene was added to a Parr® 1000 mL stirred autoclave under anargon atmosphere. The reactor was heated to 50° C. and purged withethylene before addition of 3.0 mL of a 7% MMAO solution in heptane. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 690 kPa. After 10min, the ethylene was vented and acetone and water were added to quenchthe reaction. Solid polyethylene was recovered from the reactorcollected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. The resultingpolymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 6.25 g (6×10⁵TO/h) of polyethylene. DSC: Broad melt beginning approximately −25° C.with a maximum at 50° C.; T_(g)=−36° C. GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C.,polystyrene reference, results calculated as polyethylene usinguniversal calibration theory): M_(n)=260,000; M_(w)=736,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=2.83.

Example 361

A 1.5 mg (2.4×10⁻⁶ mol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ and 200 mLof dry toluene was added to a Parr® 1000 mL stirred autoclave under anargon atmosphere. The reactor was heated to 65° C. and purged withethylene before addition of 3.0 mL of a 7% MMAO solution in heptane. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 690 kPa. After 10min, the ethylene was vented and acetone and water were added to quenchthe reaction. Solid polyethylene was recovered from the reactorcollected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. The resultingpolymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 7.6 g (7×10⁵TO/h) of polyethylene. DSC: Broad melt beginning approximately −50° C.with a maximum at 24° C. GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference, results calculated as polyethylene using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=176,000; M_(w)=438,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.49.

Example 362

A 1.5 mg (2.4×10⁻⁶ mol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ and 200 mLof dry toluene was added to a Parr® 1000 mL stirred autoclave under anargon atmosphere. The reactor was heated to 80° C. and purged withethylene before addition of 3.0 mL of a 7% MMAO solution in heptane. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 690 kPa. After 10min, the ethylene was vented and acetone and water were added to quenchthe reaction. Solid polyethylene was recovered from the reactorcollected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. The resultingpolymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 1.0 g (0.9×10⁵TO/h) of polyethylene. DSC: Broad melt beginning approximately −50° C.with a maximum at −12° C. GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference, results calculated as polyethylene using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=153,000; M_(w)=273,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.79.

Example 363

A 1.5 mg (2.4×10⁻⁶ mol) sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ and 200 mLof dry toluene was added to a Parr® 1000 mL stirred autoclave under anargon atmosphere. The reactor was heated to 80° C. and purged withethylene before addition of 3.0 mL of a 7% MMAO solution in heptane. Theautoclave was rapidly pressurized with ethylene to 2.1 MPa. After 10min, the ethylene was vented and acetone and water were added to quenchthe reaction. Solid polyethylene was recovered from the reactorcollected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. The resultingpolymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 1.05 g (0.9×10⁵TO/h) of polyethylene. DSC: Broad melt beginning approximately −25° C.with a maximum at 36° C.

Example 364

A standard solution of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was prepared asfollows: 1,2-difluorobenzene (10 mL) was added to 6.0 mg of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (8.4×10⁻⁶ mol) in a 10 mL volumetric flask.The standard solution was transferred to a Kontes flask and stored underan argon atmosphere.

A 250 mL Schlenk flask was charged with 1 mL of a standard solution of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (8.3×10⁻⁷ mol), and 100 mL of dry, deaeratedtoluene. The flask was cooled to −20° C. in a dry ice isopropanol bathand filled with ethylene (100 kPa, absolute) before addition of 1.5 mLof a 10% MAO solution in toluene. After 30 min, acetone and water wereadded to quench the reaction. Solid polyethylene was recovered from theflask collected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. The resultingpolymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 0.8 g (7×10⁴TO/h) of polyethylene. GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference, results calculated as polyethylene using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=519,000; M_(w)=768,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.48.

Example 365

A 250 mL Schlenk flask was charged with 20 mg of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ (3.2×10⁻⁵ mol), and 75 mL of dry, deaeratedtoluene. The flask was cooled to 0° C. filled with propylene (100 kPaabsolute) before addition of 1.5 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene.After 30 min, acetone and water were added to quench the reaction. Solidpolypropylene was recovered from the flask and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O,and acetone. The resulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnightto yield 0.15 g polypropylene. DSC: T_(g)=−31° C. GPC (trichlorobenzene,135° C., polystyrene reference): M_(n)=25,000; M_(w)=37,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=1.47.

Example 366

Cyclopentene (16 μL, 10 eq) was added to a suspension of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (12 mg, 1.6×10⁻⁵ mol) in 50 mL of dry toluene.A 10% MAO solution (1.5 mL) in toluene was added and the homogenousmixture stirred for 2 h at 25° C. After 2 h, the flask was filled withethylene (100 kPa, absolute) and the reaction stirred for 15 min.Acetone and water were added to quench the polymerization andprecipitate the polymer. Solid polyethylene was recovered from the flaskcollected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. The resultingpolymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 3.6 g (32,000TO/h) polyethylene. GPC: (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference, results calculated as polyethylene using universalcalibration theory): M_(n)=87,000; M_(w)=189,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=2.16. Acontrol experiment was run under identical conditions to that describedabove except no cyclopentene was added to stabilize the activated nickelcomplex. Polyethylene (380 mg, 3500 TO/h) was isolated. This exampledemonstrates the applicability of the Ni agostic cation as a potentialsoluble stable initiator for the polymerization of ethylene and otherolefin monomers.

Example 367

1-Hexene (3 mL; 6 vol %) was added to a suspension of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (12 mg, 1.6×10 ⁻⁵ mol) in 50 mL of drytoluene. The flask was cooled to −20° C. in a dry ice isopropanol bathand 1.5 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene was added. After stirringthe reaction for 1.5 h, acetone and water were added to quench thepolymerization and precipitate the polymer. Solid poly(1-hexene) wasrecovered from the flask collected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, andacetone. The resulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnight toyield 200 mg poly(1-hexene). GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference): M_(n)=44,000; M_(w)=48,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.09.

Example 368

1-Hexene (2.5 mL, 6 vol %) was added to a suspension of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (6 mg, 8.3×10⁻⁶ mol) in 50 mL of dry toluene.The flask was cooled to −10° C. in a dry ice isopropanol bath and 1.5 mLof a 7% MMAO solution in heptane was added. After stirring the reactionfor 1 h, acetone and water were added to quench the polymerization andprecipitate the polymer. Solid poly(1-hexene) was recovered from theflask and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. The resulting polymerwas dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 250 mg poly(1-hexene).GPC (dichloromethane, polystyrene reference): M_(n)=51,000;M_(w)=54,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.06.

Example 369

Propylene (1 atm) was added to a Schlenk flask charged with a suspensionof [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (12 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) in 50 mL of drytoluene after cooling the mixture to −15° C. in a dry ice isopropanolbath. A 7% MMAO solution in heptane was added. After stirring thereaction for 30 min, acetone and water were added to quench thepolymerization and precipitate the polymer. Solid polypropylene wasrecovered from the flask and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. Theresulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 800 mgpolypropylene. GPC (dichloromethane, polystyrene reference):M_(n)=84,000; M_(w)=96,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.14

Example 370

Propylene (100 kPa, absolute) was added to a Schlenk flask charged witha suspension of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (12 mg, 1.7×10⁻ ⁵ mol) in 50mL of dry toluene. After cooling the mixture to −15_(i) C. in a dry iceisopropanol bath, a 7% MMAO solution in heptane was added. Afterstirring the reaction for 30 min, 5 mL of dry 1-hexene was added and thepropylene removed in vacuo. The polymerization was allowed to stir foran additional 30 min before acetone and water were added to quench thepolymerization and precipitate the polymer. Solidpolypropylene-b-poly(1-hexene) was recovered from the flask and washedwith 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. The resulting polymer was dried underhigh vacuum overnight to yield 1.8 g polypropylene-b-poly(1-hexene). GPC(dichloromethane, polystyrene reference): M_(n)=142,000; M_(w)=165,000;M_(w)/M_(n)=1.16. ¹H-NMR analysis: indicates the presence of both apolypropylene and poly(1-hexene) block. ¹H-NMR also suggests that the DPof the propylene block is substantially higher than the DP of the1-hexene block. DSC analysis: T_(g)=−18° C. corresponding to thepolypropylene block. No other transitions were observed.

Example 371

1-Octadecene (4 mL, 8 vol %) was added to a suspension of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (12 mg, 1.6×10⁻⁵ mol) in 50 mL of dry toluene.The flask was cooled to −10° C. in a dry ice isopropanol bath and 2 mLof a 7% MMAO solution in heptane was added. After stirring the reactionfor 1 h, acetone and water were added to quench the polymerization andprecipitate the polymer. Solid poly(1-octadecene) was recovered from theflask collected and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone. The resultingpolymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 200 mgpoly(1-octadecene). GPC (trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrenereference): M_(n)=19,300; M_(w)=22,700; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.16. DSC: T_(m)=37°C. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) analysis 47 branches/1000 C (theoretical 56branches/1000 C).

Example 372

A 12-mg (0.022 mmol) sample of [(para-Me-Ph)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ was placed ina Parr® 1000 mL stirred autoclave under an argon atmosphere with 200 mLof dry toluene (reactor temperature was 65° C.). The reactor was purgedwith ethylene and 1.5 mL (100 eq) of a 10% MAO solution in toluene wasadded to the suspension. The autoclave was rapidly pressurized to 5.5MPa and the reaction was stirred for 60 min. A 15° C. exotherm wasobserved. The oligomerization was quenched upon addition of acetone andwater. The solvent was removed in vacuo resulting in 20 g of ethyleneoligomers. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) analysis 83% α-olefin.

Example 373

A 12-mg (0.022 mmol) sample of [Ph₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was placed in a Parr®1000 mL stirred autoclave under an argon atmosphere with 200 mL of drytoluene (reactor temperature was 55° C.). The reactor was purged withethylene and 2 mL (100 eq) of a 7% MMAO solution in heptane was added tothe suspension. The autoclave was rapidly pressurized to 5.5 MPa and thereaction was stirred for 60 minutes. A 18° C. exotherm was observed. Theoligomerization was quenched upon addition of acetone and water. Thesolvent was removed in vacuo resulting in 26 g (corrected for loss ofC₄, C₆, and C₈ during work-up) of ethylene oligomers. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) andGC analysis: Distribution: C₄-C₁₈, C₄=6.0%, C₆=21%, C₈=22%, C₁₀=17%,C₁₂=16%, C₁₄=13%, C₁₆=5%, C₁₈=trace; 90% α-olefin.

Example 374

A 12-mg (0.022 mmol) sample of [(Ph₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was placed in a Parr®1000 mL stirred autoclave under an argon atmosphere with 200 mL of drytoluene (reactor temperature was 45° C.). The reactor was purged withethylene and 2 mL (100 eq) of a 7% MMAO solution in heptane was added tothe suspension. The autoclave was rapidly pressurized to 5.5 MPa and thereaction was stirred for 60 min. The oligomerization was quenched uponaddition of acetone and water. The solvent was removed in vacuoresulting in 32 g (corrected for loss of C₄, C₆, and C₈ during work-up)of ethylene oligomers. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) and GC analysis: Distribution:C₄-C₂₀, C₄=9.0%, C₆=19%, C₈=19%, C₁₀=15%, C₁₂=14%, C₁₄11%, C₁₆=5%,C₁₈=4%, C₂₀=2%; 92% α-olefin.

Example 375

A 12-mg (0.022 mmol) sample of [(Ph)DABAn]NiBr₂ was placed in a 1000 mLstirred autoclave under an argon atmosphere with 200 mL of deaeratedtoluene (reactor temperature was 25° C.). The reactor was purged withethylene and 2 mL (100 eq) of a 10% MAO solution in toluene was added tothe suspension. The autoclave was rapidly pressurized to 2.1 MPa and thereaction was stirred for 30 min. A 20° C. exotherm was observed. Theoligomerization was quenched upon addition of acetone and water. Thesolvent was removed in vacuo resulting in 16.1 g of a fluid/waxy mixture(50,000 TO/h based on isolated oligomer). ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) analysis 80%α-olefin. Distribution of isolated oligomers by GC analysis: C₁₀=20%,C₁₂=28%, C₁₄ ₂₃%, C₁₆=15%, C₁₈=10%, C₂₀4%. All C₄, C₆, C₈ and C₁₀ waslost during work-up.

Example 376

A 12-mg (0.022 mmol) sample of [(Ph)DABAn]NiBr₂ was placed in a 1000 mLstirred autoclave under an argon atmosphere with 200 mL of deaeratedtoluene (reactor temperature was 25° C.). The reactor was purged withethylene and 2 mL (100 eq) of a 10% MAO solution in toluene was added tothe suspension. The autoclave was rapidly pressurized to 4.1 MPa and thereaction was stirred for 60 minutes. A 20° C. exotherm was observed. Theoligomerization was quenched upon addition of acetone and water. Thesolvent was removed in vacuo resulting in 28.3 g of crude product(50,000 TO/h based on isolated oligomer). Trace Al was removed by anaqueous/organic work-up of the crude mixture. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) analysis85% α-olefin. Distribution of isolated oligomers by GC analysis:C₁₀=13%, C₁₂=30%, C₁₄=26%, C₁₆=18%, C₁₈=10%, C₂₀=3%. All C₄, C₆, C₈ andsome C₁₀ was lost during work-up.

Example 377

A 12-mg (0.022 mmol) sample of [(Ph)DABAn]NiBr₂ was placed in a 1000 mLstirred autoclave under an argon atmosphere with 200 mL of deaeratedtoluene (reactor temperature was 25° C.). The reactor was purged withethylene and 2 mL (100 eq) of a 10% MAO solution in toluene was added tothe suspension. The autoclave was rapidly pressurized to 6.7 MPa and thereaction was stirred for 60 min. A 15° C. exotherm was observed. Theoligomerization was quenched upon addition of acetone and water. Thesolvent was removed in vacuo resulting in 21.6 g of crude product(40,000 TO/h based on isolated oligomer). ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) analysis 93%α-olefin. Distribution of isolated oligomers by GC analysis: C₁₀=13%,C₁₂=27%, C₁₄=26%, C₁₆=18%, C₁₈=12%, C₂₀=5%. All C₄, C₆, C₈ and some C₁₀was lost during work-up.

Example 378

A 12-mg (0.022 mmol) sample of [Ph₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was placed in a 1000 mLstirred autoclave under an argon atmosphere with 200 mL of dry toluene(reactor temperature was 50° C.). The reactor was purged with ethyleneand 2 mL (100 eq) of a 10% MAO solution in toluene was added to thesuspension. The autoclave was rapidly pressurized to 5.5 MPa and thereaction was stirred for 60 minutes. A 15° C. exotherm was observed. Theoligomerization was quenched upon addition of acetone and water. Thesolvent was removed in vacuo resulting in 22.3 g of crude product(40,000 TO/h based on isolated oligomer). ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) analysis 92%α-olefin. Distribution of isolated oligomers by GC analysis: C₁₀=10%,C₁₂=28%, C₁₄=25%, C₁₆=19%, C₁₈=12%, C₂₀=6%. All C₄, C₆, C₈ and some C₁₀was lost during work-up.

Examples 379-393 General Procedure for Copolymerizations

(a) Experiments at Ambient Pressure: A Schlenk flask containing thecatalyst precursor was cooled to −78° C., evacuated, and placed under anethylene atmosphere. In subsequent additions, methylene chloride and theacrylate were added to the cold flask via syringe. The solution wasallowed to warm to room temperature and stirred with a magnetic stirbar. After the specified reaction time, the reaction mixture was addedto ˜600 mL of methanol in order to precipitate the polymer. Next, themethanol was decanted off of the polymer, which was then dissolved in˜600 mL of Et₂O or petroleum ether. (For copolymerizations with FOA, asecond precipitation of the polymer solution into methanol was oftennecessary in order to remove all of the acrylate from the polymer.) Thesolution was filtered though a plug of Celite® and/or neutral alumina,the solvent was removed, and the polymer was dried in vacuo for severaldays. The copolymers were isolated as clear, free-flowing or viscousoils. The copolymers were often darkened by traces of palladium black,which proved difficult to remove in some cases. Polymers with high FOAincorporation were white, presumably due to phase separation of thefluorinated and hydrocarbon segments.

(b) Experiments at Elevated Pressure

Reactions were carried out in a mechanically stirred 300 mL Parr®reactor, equipped with an electric heating mantle controlled by athermocouple dipping into the reaction mixture. A solution of 0.1 mmolof catalyst precursor in methylene chloride, containing thefunctionalized comonomer (5-50 mL, total volume of the liquid phase: 100mL), was transferred via cannula to the reactor under a nitrogenatmosphere. After repeatedly flushing with ethylene or propylene,constant pressure was applied by continuously feeding the gaseous olefinand the contents of the reactor were vigorously stirred. After thespecified reaction time, the gas was vented. Volatiles were removed fromthe reaction mixture in vacuo, and the polymer was dried under vacuumovernight. In representative runs, the volatile fraction was analyzed byGC for low-molecular-weight products. Residual monomers (tBuA, FOA) orhomooligomers of the functionalized comonomer (MVK) were removed byprecipitating the polymer from methylene chloride solution withmethanol. This procedure did not significantly alter the polymercomposition.

Copolymer Spectral Data

In addition to the signals of the methyl, methylene and methine groupsoriginating from ethylene or propylene, the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra ofthe copolymers exhibit characteristic resonances due to thefunctionalized comonomer. The IR-spectra display the carbonyl band ofthe functional groups originating from the comonomer.

Ethylene-MA Copolymer

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 3.64 (s, OCH₃), 2.28 (t, J=7, CH₂C(O)), 1.58(m, CH₂CH₂C(O)); ¹³C NMR (C₆D₆, 100 MHz) δ 176 (C(O)), 50.9 (OCH₃); IR(film): 1744 cm⁻¹ [ν(C(O))].

Ethylene-FOA Copolymer

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 4.58. (t, J_(HF)=14, OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃), 2.40 (t,J=7, CH₂C(O)), 1.64 (m, CH₂CH₂C(O)); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz) δ 172.1(C(O)), 59.3 (t, J_(CF)=27, OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃); IR (film): 1767 cm⁻¹[ν(C(O))].

Ethylene-tBuA Copolymer

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 2.18 (t, J=7, CH₂C(O)), 1.55 (m, CH₂CH₂C(O)),1.42 (s, OCMe₃); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 62 MHz) δ 173.4 (C(O)); IR (film): 1734cm⁻¹ (CO).

Ethylene-MVK Copolymer

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 250 MHz) δ 2.39 (t, J=7, CH₂C(O)), 2.11 (s, C(O)CH₃), 1.5(m, CH₂CH₂C(O)); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 62 MHz) δ 209 (C(O)); IR (film): 1722cm⁻¹ [ν(C(O))].

Propylene-MA Copolymer

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 250 MHz) δ 3.64 (s, OCH₃), 2.3 (m, CH₂C(O)); ¹³C NMR(CDCl₃, 62 MHz) δ 174.5 (C(O)), 51.4 (OCH₃); IR (film): 1747 cm⁻¹[ν(C(O))].

Propylene-FOA Copolymer

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 250 MHz) δ 4.57 (t, J_(HF)=14, OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃), 2.39 (m,CH₂C(O)); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 62 MHz) δ 172.2 (C(O)), 59.3 (t, J_(CF)=27,OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃); IR (film): 1767 cm⁻¹ [ν(C(O))].

Results of the various polymerization are given in the Table below.

react. results polymer conc. mass comon.- TON^(e) M_(n) ^(f) Ex.cat.^(b) monomers^(c) comon. p (atm) polymer incorp.^(d) E re. P Comon.(× 10⁻³) M/M 379 6b E/MA 0.6M 2 22.2 1.0% 7710 78 8B 1.8 380 6b E/MA2.9M 2 4.3 6.1% 1296 84 26 1.6 381 6b E/MA 5.8M 2 1.8 12.1% 455 63 i11.6 382 6b E/MA 5.8M 6 11.2 4.0% 3560 148 42 1.8 383 6a E/MA 5.8M 6 1.25.0% 355 19 0.3^(g) — 384 6b E/MA 5.8M 6 1.2 4.7% 364 18 i0 1.8 385 6bE/tBuA 3.4M 6 2.8 0.7% 956 7 25 1.6 386 6b E/tBuA 0.4M 1 1.9 0.4% 665 36 1.8 387 1a E/FOA 0.6M 1 1.5 0.3% 506 2 3 1.6 388 1b E/FOA 0.6M 1 27.50.6% 8928 55 106 3.1 389 6b E/FOA 1.8  1 9.5 0.9% 2962 27 95 2.7 390 6bE/MIK 3.0M 6 1.8 1.3% 626 8 7 1.5 391 6b E — 6 10.3 — 37127 384 3.1 3926b P/MA 0.6M 6 5.0 1.1% 1179 13 37 1.8 393 6b P/FOA 1.8M 2 1.0 5.6% 1459 18 1.8 ^(a)0.1 mmol catalyst (Ex. 391: 0.01 mmol); solvent: CH₂Cl₂(total volume CH₂Cl₂ and comonomer: 100 mL; Ex. 367 & 368: 60 mL)temperature: 35° C. (Ex. 386-389 & 391 ° C.); reaction time: 18.5 h (EX.386-388: 24 h; Ex. 389, 37 h); ^(b)Complexes 6:{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABR₂]Pd[CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF (6a); R = Me (6b));Complexes 1:{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABR₂] Pd(Me)(OEt₂)}BAF; R =H (1a); R = Me(1b)); ^(c)Ethylene (E), propylene (P), methyl acrylate (MA), tert-butylacrylate (tBuA), H₂C═CHC(O)OCH₂(CF₂)₆CF₃ (FOA), methyl vinyl ketone(MVK). ^(d)In mol %. ^(e)Turnover number = moles of substrate convertedper mole of catalyst. ^(f) Determined by GPC vs. polystyrene standards;^(g)determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy of the non-volatile productfraction; ˜0.5 g of volatile products formed additionally; ^(h)Branching: Ethylene Copolymers: ˜100 methyl groups/1000 carbon atoms(Tg's: ˜−77-−67° C.); Propylene Copolymers: ˜210 methyl groups/1000carbon atoms.

Example 394

Et₂O (30 mL) was added to a round bottom flask containing 445 mg (1.10mmol) of (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ and 316 mg (1.15 mmol) of Ni(COD)₂. Methylacrylate (100 μL) was then added to the flask via microliter syringe.The resulting blue solution was stirred for several hours before theEt₂O was removed in vacuo. The compound was then dissolved in petroleumether and the resulting solution was filtered and then cooled to −35° C.in the drybox freezer. Purple single crystals of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni[H₂C═CHCO(OMe)] were isolated: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂,300 MHz, −40° C.) δ 7.4-7.2 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.74 (br septet, 1,CHMe₂), 3.09 (septet, 1, J=6.75, C′HMe₂), 2.93 (septet, 1, J=6.75,C″HMe₂), 2.85 (s, 3, OMe), 2.37 (br septet, 1, C″″HMe₂), 2.10 (dd, 1,J=13.49, 8.10, H₂C═CHC(O)OMe), 1.66 (dd, 1, J=13.49, 4.05,HH′C═CHC(O)OMe), 1.41 (d, 3, J=6.75, CHMeMe′), 1.35 (dd, 1, J=8.10,4.05, HH′C═CHC(O)OMe), 1.26 (d, 3, J=8.10, C″HMeMe′), 1.24 (d, 3,J=8.09, C′HMeMe′), 1.13 (d, 3, J=6.75, C′HMeMe′), 1.09-1.03 (doublets,12, CHMeMe′, C″HMeMe′, C′″HMeMe′), 0.79 and 0.62 (s, 3 each,N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, −20° C.) δ 174.2 (C(O)OMe),166.6 and 165.5 (N═C—C′═N), 147.9 and 146.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 139.5,139.0, 138.2 and 137.7 (Ar:C_(o), C′₀ and Ar′:C_(o), C′_(o))), 125.6 and125.4 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 123.5, 123.4, 123.3 and 123.0 (Ar:C_(m), C′_(m)and Ar′:C_(m), C′_(m)), 49.9 and 39.8 (H₂C═CHC(O)OMe), 28.8, 28.5, 28.4and 28.3 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂, C′″HMe₂), 26.1 (H₂C═CHC(O)OMe), 24.3,23.8, 23.6, 23.4, 23.0, 22.9, 22.7 and 22.7 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′,C″HMeMe′, C′″HMeMe′), 20.21 and 20.16 (N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N).

Example 395

In a nitrogen-filled drybox, 289 mg (0.525 mmol) of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂Ni(H₂C═CHCO(OMe))] and 532 mg (0.525 mmol) ofH(OEt₂)₂BAF were placed together in a round bottom flask. The flask wascooled in the −35° C. freezer before adding 20 mL of cold (−35° C.) Et₂Oto it. The reaction mixture was then allowed to warm to room temperatureas it was stirred for 2 h. The solution was then filtered and thesolvent was removed in vacuo to yield 594 mg (80.1%) of the 4-memberedchelate, {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni[CHMeC(O)OMe]}BAF, as a burnt orangepowder: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, rt) δ 7.72 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.56 (s,4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.5-7.2 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.52 (s, 3, OMe), 3.21 (q, 1,J=6.75, CHMeC(O)OMe), 3.45, 3.24, 3.02 and 3.02 (septet, 1 each, CHMe₂,C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂ and C′″HMe₂), 2.11 and 2.00 (s, 3 each,N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N), 1.55, 1.50, 1.47, 1.33, 1.28, 1.24, 1.23 and 1.17 (d,3 each, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′, C″HMeMe′ and C′″HMeMe′), −0.63 (d, 3, J=6.75,CHMeC(O)OMe); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, rt) δ 178.2, 177.0 and 174.1(C(O)OMe, N═C—C′═N), 162.2 (q, J_(CB)=49.7, BAF:C_(ipso)), 141.2 and139.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 139.4, 138.89, 138.79 and 138.40 (Ar,Ar′:C_(o), C_(o)′), 135.2 (BAF:C_(o)), 130.0 and 129.6 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p),C_(p)′), 129.3 (q, BAF:C_(m)), 125.6, 125.2, 125.0 and 124.7 (Ar,Ar′:C_(m), C′_(m)), 125.0 (q, J_(CF)=272.5, BAF:CF₃), 117.9 (BAF:C_(p)),53.6 (OMe), 30.3, 30.0, 29.9 and 29.8 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂, C′″HMe₂),24.5, 24.1, 24.0, 23.7, 23.33, 23.26, 23.1 and 23.1 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′,C″HMeMe′, C″″HMeMe′), 20.6 and 19.5 (N═C—C′═N), 6.9 (CHMeC(O)OMe).

Examples 396-400

Polymerization of ethylene by {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni[CHMeC(O)OMe]}BAF.This compound was used to catalyze the polymerization of polyethylene attemperatures between RT to 80° C. Addition of a Lewis acid oftenresulted in improved yields of polymer.

General Polymerization Procedure for Examples 396-400

In the drybox, a glass insert was loaded with{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni[CHMeC(O)OMe]}BAF. In addition, 2 equiv of aLewis acid (when used) was added to the insert. The insert was cooled to−35° C. in a drybox freezer, 5 mL of deuterated solvent was added to thecold insert, and the insert was then capped and sealed. Outside of thedrybox, the cold tube was placed under 6.9 MPa of ethylene and allowedto warm to RT or 80° C. as it was shaken mechanically for 18 h. Analiquot of the solution was used to acquire a ¹H NMR spectrum. Theremaining portion was added to ˜20 mL of MeOH in order to precipitatethe polymer. The polyethylene was isolated and dried under vacuum.

Example 396

Polymerization Conditions: {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni[CHMeC(O)OMe]}BAF(84.8 mg, 0.06 mmol); No Lewis Acid; C₆D₆; RT. No polymer was isolatedand polymer formation was not observed in the ¹H NMR spectrum.

Example 397

Polymerization Conditions: {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni[CHMeC(O)OMe]}BAF(84.8 mg, 0.06 mmol); 2 Equiv BPh₃; C₆D₆, RT. Solid white polyethylene(0.91 g) was isolated.

Example 398

Polymerization Conditions: {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni[CHMeC(O)OMe]}BAF(84.8 mg, 0.06 mmol); 2 Equiv B[3,5-trifluoromethylphenyl]₃; C₆D₆, RT.Solid white polyethylene (0.89 g) was isolated.

Example 399

Polymerization Conditions: {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni[CHMeC(O)OMe]}BAF; 2Equiv BPh₃; C₆D₆, 80° C. Polyethylene (4.3 g) was isolated as a spongysolid.

Example 400

Polymerization Conditions: {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni[CHMeC(O)OMe]}BAF(84.8 mg, 0.06 mmol); No Lewis Acid; CDCl₃, 80° C. Polyethylene (2.7 g)was isolated as a spongy solid.

Example 401

An NMR tube was loaded with {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]NiMe(OEt₂)}BAF. Thetube was capped with a septum, the septum was wrapped with Parafilm®,and the tube was cooled to −78° C. CD₂Cl₂ (700 μL) and one equiv ofmethyl acrylate were added to the cold tube in subsequent additions viagastight microliter syringe. The tube was transferred to the cold NMRprobe. Insertion of methyl acrylate and formation of the 4-memberedchelate complex, {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Ni[CHEtC(O)OMe]}BAF, was completeat −10° C.: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −10° C.) δ 8.23 and 8.03 (s, 1each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.72 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.55 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)),7.5-7.2 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.69, 3.51, 3.34 and 3.04 (septet, 1 each,CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂ and C′″HMe₂), 3.58 (s, 3, OMe), 1.48, 1.46, 1.46,1.45, 1.30, 1.27, 1.193 and 1.189 (d, 3 each, J=6.5-7.3, CHMeMe′,C′HMeMe′, C″HMeMe′ and C′″HMeMe′), 0.79 and −0.52 (m, 1 each,CH(CHH′CH₃), 0.68 (t, 3, J=6.9, CH(CH₂CH₃), (CHEt signal was notassigned due to overlap with other protons).

Example 402

A solution of the 4-membered chelate complex{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Ni[CHEtC(O)OMe]}BAF was allowed to stand at RT for1 day. During this time, conversion to the 6-membered chelate complex,{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Ni[CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OMe]}BAF, was complete: ¹H NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt) δ 8.47 and 8.01 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.72(s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.56 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.5-7.0 (m, 6, H_(aryl)),3.61 (s, 3, OMe), 3.45 and 3.09 (septet, 2 each, CHMe₂ and C′HMe₂), 2.25(t, 2, J 7.3, CH₂C(O)), 1.61 (pentet, 2, J=7.3, NiCH₂CH₂CH₂), 1.50,1.50, 1.46, and 1.30 (d, 6 each, J=6.8-6.9, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′), 0.92 (t,2, J=7.4, NiCH₂).

Examples 403-407

These Examples illustrate the formation of metallacycles of the formulashown on the right side of the equation, and the use of thesemetallacycles as polymerization catalysts.

In the absence of olefin, the ether-stabilized catalyst derivatives wereobserved to decompose in CD₂Cl₂ solution with loss of methane. For thecatalyst derivative where M=Pd and R=H, methane loss was accompanied byclean and selective formation of the metallacycle resulting from C-Hactivation of one of the aryl i-propyl substituents. This metallacyclecould be isolated, although not cleanly, as its instability and highsolubility prevented recrystallization. Also it could be converted toanother metallacycle in which the diethyl ether ligand is replaced by anolefin ligand, especially ethylene.

Example 403

A 700 μL CD₂Cl₂ solution of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)2DABH₂]PdMe(OEt₂)}BAF (68.4mg) was allowed to stand at room temperature for several hours and thenat −30° C. overnight. Such highly concentrated solutions of theresulting metallacycle wherein R is H and M is Pd were stable for hoursat room temperature, enabling ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra to be acquired: ¹HNMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, 41° C.) δ 8.17 (s, 2, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.75 (s, 8,BAF:H_(o)), 7.58 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.5-7.0 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 3.48 (q,4, J=6.88, O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 3.26 (septet, 1, J=6.49, CHMe₂), 3.08 (septet,1, J=6.86, C′HMe₂), 2.94 (septet, 1, J=6.65, C″HMe₂), 2.70 (dd, 1,J=6.67, 0.90, CHMeCHH′Pd), 2.43 (dd, 1, J=7.12, 4.28, CHMeCHH′Pd), 2.23(br m, 1, CHMeCH₂Pd), 1.54 (d, 3, J=6.86, CHMeCH₂Pd), 1.43 (d, 3,J=6.79, C″HMeMe′), 1.40 (d, 3, J=7.12, CHMeMe), 1.37 (d, 3, J=6.95,C′HMeMe′), 1.27 (d, 6, J=6.79, C′HMeMe′, C″HMeMe′), 1.12 (d, 3, J=6.54,CHMeMe′), 1.23 (br m, 6, O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 0.21 (CH₄); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400MHz, 41° C.) δ 162.5 (J_(CH)=181.5, N═C(H)), 162.3 (q, J_(BC)=49.8,BAF:C_(ipso)), 161.2 (J_(CH)=178.4, N═C′(H)), 145.8 and 144.5 (Ar,Ar′:C_(ipso)), 141.6, 140.7, 140.3 and 138.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 135.3(BAF:C_(o)), 131.6 and 129.8 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 129.4 (q, J_(CF)=29.9,BAF:CF₃), 128.1, 127.6, 125.2 and 124.5 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o), C_(o)′), 125.1(BAF:CF₃), 118.0 (BAF:C_(p)), 72 (br, O(CH₂CH₃)₂), 43.2 (CHMeCH₂Pd),40.5 (CHMeCH₂Pd), 29.5,. 29.1 and 28.8 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂), 26.2.(br), 25.3, 25.2, 25.1, 24.5 (br), 23.3 and 22.1 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′,C″HMeMe′, CHMeCH₂Pd), 15.5 (br, O(CH₂CH₃)₂), −14.8 (CH₄).

Example 404

Addition of ethylene to a CD₂Cl₂ solution of the compound prepared inExample 403 resulted in loss of ether and formation of the correspondingethylene adduct (spectral data: see Example 405.) Warming of theethylene adduct in the presence of excess ethylene resulted in branchedpolymer formation: 1.3 ppm (CH₂)_(n), 0.9 ppm (CH₃). For the ethylenepolymerization initiated by this metallacycle, rates of initiation weresignificantly slower than rates of propagation.

Example 405

The metallacycle of Example 403 wherein the diethyl ether ligand wasreplaced by an ethylene ligand was stable enough so that NMR spectracould be obtained. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −61° C.) δ 8.25 and 8.23(N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.74(s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.55 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)),7.55-7.16 (m, 6, H_(aryl)), 4.67 (m, 2, HH′C═CHH′), 4.40 (m, 2,HH′C═CHH′), 2.95 (septet, 1, J=6.30, CHMe₂), 2.80 (septet, 2, J=6.36,C′HMe₂ and C″HMe₂), 2.53 (br m, 1, CHMeCH₂Pd), 2.43 (d, 1, J=8.16,CHMeCHH′Pd), 1.73 (dd, 1, J=8.16, 2.84, CHMeCHH′Pd), 1.45 and 1.19 (d, 3each, J=6.79-6.40, CHMeMe′), 1.42 (d, 3, J=7.05, CHMeCH₂Pd), 1.30, 1.30,1.19 and 0.99 (d, 3 each, J=6.40-6.65, C′HMeMe′ and C″HMeMe′); ¹³C NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −61° C.) δ 162.7 (J_(CH)=179.7, N═CH), 162.1(J_(CH)=180.9, N═C′H), 161.6 (q, J_(CB)=49.7, BAF:C_(ipso)), 144.7,141.7, 141.2, 139.2, 137.5 and 137.1 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso), C_(o), C′_(o)),134.6. (BAF:C_(o)), 131.0 and 129.0 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 128.6 (q,BAF:C_(m)), 124.4 (q, J_(CF)=272.5, BAF:CF₃), 124.6 and 124.0 (Ar,Ar′:C_(m)), 117.4 (BAF:C_(p)), 92.3 (J_(CH)=162.4, H₂C═CH₂), 45.1(CH₂Pd), 41.1 (CHMeCH₂Pd), 28.9, 28.5 and 28.2 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂),26.1, 25.6, 25.1, 24.9, 24.6, 22.9 and 21.4 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′,C″HMeMe′, CHMeCH₂Pd).

Example 406

In a nitrogen-filled drybox, 30 mL of THF was added to a flaskcontaining (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn (1.87 g, 3.72 mmol) and Ni(COD)₂ (1.02 g,3.72 mmol). The resulting purple solution was stirred for several hoursbefore removing the solvent in vacuo. The product was dissolved in aminimum amount of pentane and the resulting solution was filtered andthen placed in the drybox freezer (−35° C.) to recrystallize. Purplecrystals of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(COD) were isolated (1.33 g, 53.50%,first crop). ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, rt) δ 7.77 (d, 2, J=8.06,H_(aryl)), 7.44 (t, 2, J=7.52, H_(aryl)), 7.33 (d, 2, J=7.70, H_(aryl)),6.89 (t, 2, J=7.70, H_(aryl)), 6.13 (d, 2, J=6.13, H_(aryl)), 3.93 (brs, 4, COD: —HC═CH—), 3.48 (septet, 4, J=6.87, CHMe₂), 2.54 (br m, 4,COD: —CHH′—), 1.51 (m, 4, COD: —CHH′—), 1.37 (d, 12, J=6.60, CHMeMe′),0.77 (d, 12, J=6.60, CHMeMe′); ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 75.5 MHz, rt) δ 151.7,151.6, 138.5, 137.1, 133.0, 132.1, 128.8, 125.6, 123.8, 123.7, 119.0(C_(aryl)), 88.7 (COD: —HC═CH—), 29.9 (COD: —CH₂—), 28.0, 25.1 and 23.8(CHMeMe′).

Example 407

In the drybox, a glass insert was loaded with 35.2 mg (0.0527 mmol) of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(COD) and 55.2 mg (0.0545 mmol) of H(OEt₂)₂BAF.The insert was cooled to −35° C. in the drybox freezer, 5 mL of CDCl₃was added to the cold insert, and the insert was then capped and sealed.Outside of the drybox, the cold tube was placed under 6.9 MPa ofethylene and allowed to warm to rt as it was shaken mechanically for 18h. An aliquot of the solution was used to acquire a ¹H NMR spectrum. Theremaining portion was added to ˜20 mL of MeOH in order to precipitatethe polymer. The polyethylene (6.1 g) was isolated and dried undervacuum.

Examples 408-412

(acac)NiEt(PPh₃) was synthesized according to published procedures(Cotton, F. A.; Frenz, B. A.; Hunter, D. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1974, 96,4820-4825).

General Polymerization Procedure for Examples 408-412

In the drybox, a glass insert was loaded with 26.9 mg (0.06 mmol) of(acac)NiEt(PPh₃), 53.2 mg (0.06 mmol) of NaBAF, and 0.06 mmol of anα-diimine ligand. In addition, 2 equiv of a phosphine scavenger such asBPh₃ or CuCl was sometimes added. The insert was cooled to −35° C. inthe drybox freezer, 5 mL of C₆D₆ was added to the cold insert, and theinsert was then capped and sealed. Outside of the drybox, the cold tubewas placed under 6.9 MPa of ethylene and allowed to warm to RT as it wasshaken mechanically for 18 h. An aliquot of the solution was used toacquire a ¹H NMR spectrum. The remaining portion was added to ˜20 mL ofMeOH in order to precipitate the polymer. The polyethylene was isolatedand dried under vacuum.

Example 408

The α-diimine was (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂. Solid white polyethylene (1.6 g)was isolated.

Example 409

The α-diimine was (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂, and 29.1 mg of BPh₃ was alsoadded. Solid white polyethylene (7.5 g) was isolated.

Example 410

The α-diimine was (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂, and 11.9 of CuCl was also added.Solid white polyethylene (0.8 g) was isolated.

Example 411

The α-diimine was (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn. Solid white polyethylene (0.2 g)was isolated.

Example 412

The α-diimine was (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn, and 29.1 mg of BPh₃ was alsoadded. Solid white polyethylene (14.7 g) was isolated.

Examples 413-420

The following synthetic methods and polymerization procedures were usedto synthesize and test the polymerization activity of the functionalizedα-diimine ligands of these Examples.

Synthetic Method A

One equiv of glyoxal or the diketone was dissolved in methanol. Twoequiv of the functionalized aniline was added to the solution along with˜1 mL of formic acid. The solution was stirred until a precipitateformed. The precipitate was collected on a frit and washed withmethanol. The product was then dissolved in dichloromethane and theresulting solution was stirred overnight over sodium sulfate. Thesolution was filtered and the solvent was removed in vacuo to yield thefunctionalized α-diimine.

Synthetic Method B

One equiv of glyoxal or the diketone was dissolved in dichloromethaneand two equiv of the functionalized aniline was added to the solution.The reaction mixture was stirred over sodium sulfate (˜1 week). Thesolution was filtered and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The productwas washed or recrystallized from petroleum ether and then dried invacuo.

Nickel Polymerization Procedure

In the drybox, a glass insert was loaded with one equiv each ofNi(COD)₂, H(OEt₂)₂BAF, and the α-diimine ligand. The insert was cooledto −35° C. in the drybox freezer, 5 mL of C₆D₆ was added to the coldinsert, and the insert was then capped and sealed. Outside of thedrybox, the cold tube was placed under 6.9 MPa of ethylene and allowedto warm to RT as it was shaken mechanically for 18 h. An aliquot of thesolution was used to acquire a ¹H NMR spectrum. The remaining portionwas added to ˜20 mL of MeOH in order to precipitate the polymer. Thepolyethylene was isolated and dried under vacuum.

Palladium Polymerization Procedure

In the drybox, a glass insert was loaded with one equiv each of[CODPdMe(NCMe)]BAF and the α-diimine ligand. The insert was cooled to−35° C. in the drybox freezer, 5 mL of C₆D₆ was added to the coldinsert, and the insert was then capped and sealed. Outside of thedrybox, the cold tube was placed under 6.9 MPa of ethylene and allowedto warm to RT as it was shaken mechanically for 18 h. An aliquot of thesolution was used to acquire a ¹H NMR spectrum. The remaining portionwas added to ˜20 mL of MeOH in order to precipitate the polymer. Thepolyethylene was isolated and dried under vacuum.

Example 413

α-Diimine was (2-hydroxyethylPh)₂DABMe₂. Synthetic Method B: ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 300 MHz, rt) δ 7.28-7.20 (m, 4, H_(aryl)), 7.12 (t, 2, J=7.52,H_(aryl)), 6.67 (d, 2, J=7.67, H_(aryl)), 3.74 (t, 4, J=6.79, CH₂OH),3.11 (br s, 2, OH), 2.76 (t, 4, J=6.79, CH₂CH₂OH), 2.16 (s, 6,N═C(Me)-C(Me)═N); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz, rt) δ 168.2 (N═C—C═N), 149.0(Ar:C_(ipso)), 128.4 (Ar:C_(o)), 130.4, 127.1, 124.6 and 118.2(Ar:C_(m), C_(p), C_(m)′, C_(o)′), 62.9 (CH₂OH), 35.3 (CH₂CHOH), 15.8(N═C(Me)-C (Me)═N).

Nickel Polymerization Procedure

(0.02 mmol scale) Seventy mg of polyethylene was isolated. ¹H NMRspectrum (C₆D₆) shows the production of 1- and 2-butenes along withsmaller amounts of higher olefins.

Palladium Polymerization Procedure

(0.06 mmol scale) No polymer was isolated, however, the ¹H NMR spectrumshows peaks consistent with the formation of branched polyethylene: 1.3ppm (CH₂)_(n), 0.9 ppm (CH₃ of branches). Broad α-olefinic resonancesare observed in the baseline.

Example 414

α-Diimine is (2,6-Et-3,5-chloroPh)₂DABMe₂. Synthetic Method A: ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 300 MHz, rt) δ 7.19 (s, 1, H_(aryl)), 2.64 (sextet, 4, J=7.19,CHH′CH₃), 2.36 (sextet, 4, J=7.11, CHH′CH₃), 2.10 (s, 6,N═C(Me)-C(Me)═N), 1.05 (t, 12, J=7.52, CH₂CH₃); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz,rt) δ 168.8 (N═C—C═N), 149.3 (Ar:C_(ipso)), 132.3 and 127.4 (Ar:C_(o)and C_(m)), 124.7 (Ar:C_(p)), 22.5 (CH₂CH₃), 16.8 (N═C(Me)-C(Me)═N),12.1 (CH₂CH₃).

Nickel Polymerization Procedure

(0.06 mmol scale) Solid white polyethylene (14.6 g) was isolated.

Palladium Polymerization Procedure

(0.06 mmol scale) Polyethylene (0.06 g) was isolated as an oil. ¹H NMRspectrum (C₆D₆) shows branched polyethylene along with some internalolefinic end groups.

Palladium Polymerization Procedure

{0.03 mmol scale; Isolated [(2,6-Et-3,5-chloroPh)₂DABMe₂)]PdMe(NCMe)]BAFwas used.} Polyethylene (2.42 g was isolated as an oil.

Example 415

α-Diimine is (2,6-Et-3-chloroPh)₂DABMe₂. Synthetic Method A: ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 300 MHz, rt) δ 7.10 (d, 2, J=8.43, H_(aryl)), 7.04 (d, 2,J=8.07, H_(aryl)), 2.65 (m, 2, CHH′CH₃), 2.49 (m, 2, CHH′CH₃), 2.30 (m,4, C′HH′C′H₃), 2.08 (s, 6, N═C(Me)-C(Me)═N), 1.15 and 1.07 (t, 6 each,J=7.52, CH₂CH₃ and C′H₂C′H₃); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz, rt) δ 168.4(N═C—C═N), 148.5 (Ar:C_(ipso)), 132.0, 129.1 and 128.6 (Ar:C_(o),C_(o)′, C_(m)), 126.9 and 124.3 (Ar:C_(m)′ and C_(p)), 24.4 and 22.6(CH₂CH₃ and C′H₂C′H₃), 16.5 (N═C(Me)-C(Me)═N), 13.4 and 12.4 (CH₂CH₃ andC′H₂C′H₃).

Palladium Polymerization Procedure

{0.03 mmol scale; Isolated [(2,6-Et-3-chloroPh)₂DABMe₂)PdMe(NCMe)]BAFwas used.} Polyethylene (˜1 g) was isolated as an amorphous solid.

Example 416

α-Diimine is (2,6-bromo-4-MePh)₂DABMe₂. Synthetic Method A: ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 300 MHz, rt) δ 7.40 (m, 4, H_(aryl)), 2.32 (s, 6, Ar:Me), 2.14(s, 6, N═C(Me)-C(Me)═N); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz, rt) δ 171.5 (N═C—C═N),144.9 (Ar:C_(ipso)), 135.7 (Ar:C_(p)), 132.4 (Ar:C_(m)), 112.3(Ar:C_(o)), 20.2 and 16.9 (N═C(Me)-C(Me)═N and Ar:Me)

Nickel Polymerization Procedure

(0.02 mmol scale) Solid white polyethylene (5.9 g) was isolated. ¹H NMRspectrum (C₆D₆) shows a significant amount of branched polymer alongwith internal olefinic end groups.

Palladium Polymerization Procedure

(0.06 mmol scale) Polyethylene (0.38 g) was isolated as an oil. ¹H NMRspectrum (C₆D₆) shows a significant amount of branched polymer alongwith internal olefinic end groups.

Example 417

α-Diimine is (2,6-Me-4-bromoPh)₂DABH₂. Synthetic Method A: ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 300 MHz, rt) δ 8.07 (s, 2, N═CH—CH═N), 7.24 (s, 4, H_(aryl)),2.15 (s, 12, Ar:Me); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, rt) δ 163.6 (N═C—C═N),148.7 (Ar:C_(ipso)), 131.0 and 128.7 (Ar:C_(o) and C_(m)), 117.7(Ar:C_(p)), 18.1 (Ar:Me).

Nickel Polymerization Procedure

(0.06 mmol scale) Solid white polyethylene (9.5 g) was isolated.

Palladium Polymerization Procedure

(0.06 mmol scale) No polymer was isolated, however, the ¹H NMR spectrum(C₆D₆) shows the production of α- and internal olefins (butenes andhigher olefins). A small resonance exists at 1.3 ppm and is consistentwith the resonance for (CH₂)_(n).

Example 418

α-Diimine is (2,6-Me-4-bromoPh)₂DABMe₂. Synthetic Method A: ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 300 MHz, rt) δ 7.22 (s, 4, H_(aryl)), 2.02 (s, 6,N═C(Me)-C(Me)═N), 2.00 (s, 12, Ar:Me); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz, rt) δ168.5 (N═C—C═N), 147.3 (Ar:C_(ipso)), 130.6 (Ar:C_(m)), 126.9(Ar:C_(o)), 115.9 (Ar:C_(p)), 17.6 (Ar:Me), 15.9 (N═C(Me)-C(Me)═N).

Nickel Polymerization Procedure

(0.06 mmol scale) Solid white polyethylene (14.9 g) was isolated.

Palladium Polymerization Procedure

(0.06 mmol scale) Polyethylene (1.3 g) was isolated as an oil. The ¹HNMR spectrum (C₆D₆) shows resonances consistent with the formation ofbranched polymer. Resonances consistent with olefinic end groups areobserved in the baseline.

Palladium Polymerization Procedure

{0.03 mmol scale; Isolated [(2,6-Me-4-bromoPh)₂DABMe₂)PdMe(NCMe)]BAF wasused.} Polyethylene (3.97 g) was isolated as a mixture of a soft whitesolid and an amorphous oil. ¹H NMR spectrum (C₆D₆) shows branchedpolyethylene.

Example 419

α-Diimine is (2-Me-6-chloroPh)₂DABMe₂.

Nickel Polymerization Procedure

(0.02 mmol scale) Solid white polyethylene (220 mg) was isolated. Inaddition, the ¹H NMR spectrum (C₆D₆) shows the production of 1- and2-butenes.

Palladium Polymerization Procedure

(0.03 mmol scale; Isolated [(2-Me-6-chloroPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)]SbF₆ wasused.) Polyethylene (3.39 g) was isolated as an oil. The ¹H NMR spectrum(C₆D₆) shows the production of branched polyethylene; internal olefinend groups are also present.

Example 420 (2, 6-t-BuPh)₂DABAN

This compound was made by a procedure similar to that of Example 25. Twog (9.74 mmol) of 2,5-di-t-butylaniline and 0.88 g (4.8 mmol) ofacenaphthenequinone were partially dissolved in 50 mL of methanol.Attempted crystallization from ether and from CH₂Cl₂ yielded anorange/yellow powder (1.75 g, 66%—not optimized). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 250MHz) δ 7.85 (d, 2H, J=8.1 Hz, BIAN: H_(p)), 7.44 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz,Ar:H_(m)), 7.33 (dd, 2H, J=8.4, 7.3 Hz, BIAN:H_(m)), 7.20 (dd, 2H,J=8.1, 2.2 Hz, Ar:H_(p)), 6.99 (d, 2H, J=2.2 Hz, Ar:H_(o)), 6.86 (d, 2H,J=7.0 Hz, BIAN:H_(o)), 1.37, 1.27 (s, 18H each, C(CH₃)₃).

Example 421

A 100 mg sample of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}⁺BAF⁻ in aSchlenk flask was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (4 ml) and cyclopentene (8 ml)added. The flask was flushed well with a 10% ethylene in N₂ mix and thesolution stirred with a slow flow of the gas mixture passing through theflask. After 15 hours the product had solidified into a single mass ofyellow/brown polymer. The reaction was quenched with MeOH and thepolymer broken into pieces and washed with MeOH. Yield=2.0 g. DSC:Tm=165° C. (32J/g). Integration of the ¹H-NMR spectrum indicated 83 mole% cyclopentene.

Example 422

A 37 mg sample of [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ in cyclopentene (5 ml) wasplaced in a Schlenk flask under an atmosphere of ethylene. Modified MAO(1.1 ml, 7.2 wt % Al) was added and the reaction allowed to run for 16hours after which time the product had solidified into a mass of greenpolymer. The reaction was quenched by addition of MeOH/10% HCl and thepolymer was crushed and washed well with MeOH and finally a 2%Irganox/acetone solution. Yield=3.6 g.

Example 423

A 30 mg sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂ was slurried in toluene (2ml) and norbornene (2 g). PMAO (1 ml, 9.6 wt % Al) was added. Thesolution immediately turned deep blue/black and in less than a minutebecame extremely viscous. The reaction was quenched after 15 hours byaddition of MeOH/10% HCl causing the polymer to precipitate. The solidwas filtered, washed well with MeOH and finally with a 2% Irganox® 1010in acetone solution. The polymer was cut into pieces and dried.Yield=0.8 g (40%). ¹H-NMR (ODCB, 120° C.): 1.0-2.5 ppm complex multipletconfirms that the product is an addition polymer. The absence ofolefinic peaks precludes the existence of ROMP product and indicatesthat the polymer is not of extremely low molecular weight.

Example 424

A 32 mg sample of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]CoCl₂ was slurried in toluene (2ml) and norbornene (4 g). PMAO (1.5 m), 9.6 wt % Al) was added. Thesolution immediately turned deep purple and within a few minutes becameextremely viscous and difficult to stir. The reaction was quenched after4 hours by addition of MeOH/10% HCl causing the polymer to precipitate.The solid was filtered, washed well with MeOH and finally with a 2%Irganox in acetone solution. The polymer was dried overnight at 1100° C.under vacuum. Yield=2.1 g (53%). It was possible to further purify theproduct by dissolving in cyclohexane and reprecipitating with MeOH.¹H-NMR (TCE, 120° C.): 1.0-2.5 ppm complex multiplet.

Example 425

A 33 mg sample of ((2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn)CoCl₂ was slurried in toluene (2ml) and norbornene (4 g). PMAO (2.0 ml, 9.6 wt % Al) was added. Thesolution immediately turned deep blue and within a few minutes theviscosity began to increase. The reaction was quenched after 4 hours byaddition of MeOH/10% HCl causing the polymer to precipitate. The solidwas filtered, washed well with MeOH and finally with a 2% Irganox® 1010in acetone solution. The polymer was dried overnight at 110° C. undervacuum. Yield=0.8 g (13%). It was possible to further purify the productby dissolving in cyclohexane and reprecipitating with MeOH. ¹H-NMR (TCE,120° C.): 1.0-2.5 ppm complex multiplet.

Example 426

A 23 mg sample of [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl was slurried in toluene (2ml) and norbornene (2.7 g). PMAO (1.0 mL, 9.6 wt % Al) was added. Solidsimmediately formed and after a few seconds stirring stopped. Thereaction was quenched after 2 hours by addition of MeOH/10% HCl. Thesolid was filtered, crushed and washed well with MeOH and finally with a2% Irganox® 1010 in acetone solution. Yield=2.5 g (92%).

Example 427

A 16 mg sample of [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]NiBr₂ was slurried indicyclopentadiene (˜3 g). MMAO (1.2 ml, 7.2 wt % Al) was added. Solutionimmediately turned deep red/purple and started to foam. The reaction wasquenched after 16 hours by addition of MeOH/10% HCl which precipitatedthe polymer. The solid was filtered and washed well with MeOH andfinally with a 2% Irganox® 1010 in acetone solution. Yield=0.25 g.

Example 428

A 20 mg sample of [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl was slurried in toluene (2ml) and ethylidene norbornene (2 ml). PMAO (1.0 mL, 9.6 wt % Al) wasadded. The solution turned a pale orange and after an hour the viscosityhad increased. After 14 hours the mixture had solidified into a gel andstirring had stopped. The reaction was quenched by addition of MeOH/10%HCl. The solid was filtered, crushed and washed well with MeOH andfinally with a 2% Irganox® 1010 in acetone solution. Yield=0.7 g (39%).

Example 429

NiI₂ (0.26 g) was placed in THF (10 ml) and (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ (340 mg)was added. The resulting mixture was stirred for 2 days after which theTHF was removed and pentane added. The red/brown solid was isolated byfiltration and washed several times with pentane. Yield=0.53 g (89%).

A portion of the product (9 mg) in toluene (25 mL) in a Schlenk flaskwas placed under an atmosphere of ethylene (140 kPa [absolute]) and 0.25ml PMAO solution (9.6% Al) was added. The solution turned dark greenand, after several hours at room temperature, became viscous. After 16hours the reaction was quenched with MeOH/10% HCl which precipitated thepolymer. The polymer (1.25 g) was collected by filtration, washed wellwith MeOH and dried under reduced pressure. ¹H NMR indicated ˜133 methylper 1000 methylene.

Example 430

CoI₂ (286 mg) was dissolved in THF (10 ml) and (2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂ (370mg) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred for 3 days after whichthe THF was removed and pentane added. The brown solid was isolated byfiltration and washed several times with pentane. Yield=0.29 g (44%). ¹HNMR (THF-d₈) 1.0-1.4 (m, 24H, CH—CH₃), 2.06 (s, 6H, N═C—CH₃), 2.6-2.8(m, 4H, C—CH—(CH₃)₂), 7.0-7.3 (m, 6H, aromatic). This data is consistentwith the formula: [(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]CoI₂

A portion of the above product (14 mg, 0.02 mmol) in toluene (25 mL) ina Schlenk flask was placed under an atmosphere of ethylene (140 kPa[absolute]) and 0.4 ml PMAO solution (9.6% Al) was added. The solutionturned purple and, after several hours at room temperature, becameviscous. After 18 hours the reaction was quenched with MeOH/10% HClwhich precipitated the polymer. The polymer (634 mg) was collected byfiltration, washed well with MeOH and dried under reduced pressure. ¹HNMR indicated ˜100 methyl per 1000 methylene. DSC: Tg=−45° C.

Example 431

Solid π-cyclooctenyl-1,5-cyclooctadienecobalt (I) (17 mg, 0.06 mmol)(prepared according to: Gosser L., Inorg. Synth., 17, 112-15, 1977) andsolid (2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂ (24 mg, 0.06 mmol) were placed in a Schlenkflask and toluene (25 mL) added. An ethylene atmosphere was admitted (34kPa gauge) and the solution stirred for 5 minutes. The final color wasbrown/green. 0.8 ml PMAO solution (9.6% Al) was added. After 18 hoursthe reaction was quenched with MeOH/10% HCl which precipitated thepolymer. The polymer (190 mg) was collected by filtration, washed wellwith MeOH and dried under reduced pressure. ¹H NMR indicated 90 methylper 1000 methylene. DSC: Tg=−45° C.

Example 432

[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]CoCl₂ (619 mg) was slurried in Et₂O (5 ml) andcooled to −25° C. Me₂Mg (63 mg in 5 ml Et₂O) was added and the solutionstirred for 15 minutes. Et₂O was removed under reduced pressure and theresulting bright purple solid was dissolved in pentane, filtered toremove MgCl₂ and the volume reduced to 5 ml. The solution was cooled to−25° C. for 2 days and the resulting purple crystals isolated byfiltration. Yield=420 mg (73%). Crystal structure determinationconfirmed that the product was [(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]CoMe₂.

[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]CoMe₂ (34 mg) in toluene (25 mL) in a Schlenk flaskwas placed under an atmosphere of ethylene (140 kPa [absolute]) andafter stirring for 2 hours, 0.6 ml PMAO solution (9.6% Al) was added.The solution remained dark purple and, after several hours at roomtemperature, became viscous. After 48 hours the reaction was quenchedwith MeOH/10% HCl which precipitated the polymer. The polymer (0.838 g)was collected by filtration, washed well with MeOH and dried underreduced pressure. Branching (¹H-NMR): 115 methyl per 1000 methylene.DSC: Tg=−45° C.

Example 433

[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]CoMe₂ (30 mg) was dissolved in benzene (10 ml in ashaker tube) and the solution frozen. Montmorillionite K-10 (AldrichChemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis., U.S.A.) (200 mg, conditioned at 140° C.for 10 48 hrs under vacuum) suspended in benzene (10 ml) was added ontop of the frozen layer and frozen as well. The solution was thawedunder an ethylene atmosphere (6.9 MPa) and shaken at that pressure for18 hours. MeOH was added to the resulting polymer which was thenisolated by filtration, washed well with MeOH and dried under reducedpressure. Yield=7.5 g crystalline polyethylene. Branching (¹H-NMR): 18Methyl per 1000 methylene.

Example 434

[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]CoMe₂ (15 mg) was dissolved in benzene (10 ml in ashaker tube) and the solution frozen. Montmorillionite K-10 (100 mg,conditioned at 600° C. for 48 hrs under vacuum) suspended in benzene (10ml) was added on top of the frozen layer and frozen as well. Thesolution was thawed under an ethylene atmosphere (6.9 MPa) and shaken atthat pressure for 18 hours. MeOH was added to the resulting polymerwhich was then isolated by filtration, washed well with MeOH and driedunder reduced pressure. Yield=3 g polyethylene. Branching (¹H NMR): 11Methyl per 1000 methylene.

Example 435

[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]CoMe₂ (15 mg) was dissolved in benzene (10 ml in ashaker tube) and the solution frozen. Tris(pentaflorophenyl)boron (25mg) dissolved in benzene (10 ml) was added on top of the frozen layerand frozen as well. The solution was thawed under an ethylene atmosphere(6.9 MPa) and shaken at that pressure for 18 hours. MeOH was added tothe resulting polymer which was then isolated by filtration, washed wellwith MeOH and dried under reduced pressure. Yield=105 mg polyethylene.Branching (¹H NMR): 60 Methyl per 1000 methylene.

Example 436

[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]CoMe₂ (15 mg) was dissolved in benzene (10 ml in ashaker tube) and the solution frozen. HBAF 2Et₂O (30 mg) slurried inbenzene (10 ml) was added on top of the frozen layer and frozen as well.The solution was thawed under an ethylene atmosphere (6.9 MPa) andshaken at that pressure for 18 hours. MeOH was added to the resultingpolymer which was then isolated by filtration, washed well with MeOH anddried under reduced pressure. Yield=3.8 g polyethylene. Branching (¹HNMR): 21 Methyl per 1000 methylene.

Example 437

CoCl₂ (102 mg) was placed in acetonitrile and AgBF₄ (306 mg) added. Thesolution was stirred for 30 minutes after which the white AgCl wasfiltered off. (2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂ (318 mg) was added and the solutionstirred overnight. The acetonitrile was removed under reduced pressureand pentane added. The orange product was isolated by filtration andwashed and dried. ¹H-NMR (THF-d₈): 1.1-1.4 (m, C—CH—CH₃, 24H), 1.8(CH₃CN, 6H), 2.2 (N═C—CH₃, 6H), 2.7 (m, C—CH—CH₃, 4H), 7.0-7.2 (m, C═CH,6H). The spectrum is consistent with the molecular formula:[((2,6-iprPh)₂DABMe₂)Co(CH₃CN)₂](BF₄)₂

A portion of the product (43 mg) in toluene (25 mL) in a Schlenk flaskwas placed under an atmosphere of ethylene (35 kPa gauge) and 0.8 mlPMAO solution (9.6% Al) was added. The solution turned dark purple After18 hours the reaction was quenched with MeOH/10% HCl which precipitatedthe polymer. The polymer (0.310 g) was collected by filtration, washedwell with MeOH and dried under reduced pressure. Branching (¹H NMR): 72Methyl per 1000 methylene.

Example 438

Solid Co(II)[(CH₃)₂CHC(O)O⁻]₂ (17 mg, 0.073 mmol) and solid(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂ (32 mg, 0.079 mmol) were placed in a Schlenk flaskand toluene (25 mL) added. An ethylene atmosphere was admitted (140 kPa[absolute]) and 3.0 ml PMAO solution (9.6% Al) was added. After 18 hoursthe reaction was quenched with MeOH/10% HCl which precipitated thepolymer. The polymer (57 mg) was collected by filtration, washed wellwith MeOH and dried under reduced pressure. ¹H NMR indicated 32 methylper 1000 methylene.

Example 439

The complex {[(2,6-EtPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)}⁺SbF₆ ^(−D) was weighed (50mg, 0.067 mmol) into a 100 mL round-bottom flask inside a dry box.Cyclopentene (20 mL, 3400 equivalents per Pd; unpurified) anddichloromethane (20 mL) were added to the flask, and stirred under anitrogen atmosphere to give a homogeneous solution. A precipitate hadformed after 2 days. After 7 days, the solvent was evaporated and thesolids were dried in a vacuum oven to give 0.39 g polymer (86turnovers/Pd). A sample of the polymer was washed several times withpetroleum ether and ether, then dried in a vacuum oven. The polymer waspressed at 290° C. into a transparent, gray-brown, tough film. DSC (0 to300° C., 10° C./min, first heat): T_(g)=120° C., T_(m) (onset toend)=179 to 232° C., heat of fusion=18 J/g. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, 120° C.,ortho-dichlorobenzene-d₄, referenced to solvent peak at 7.280 ppm):0.905 (bs, 1H, cis —CH—CH ₂—CH—), 1.321 (bs, 2H, cis —CH—CH ₂—CH ₂—CH—),1.724 and 1.764 (overlapping bs, 4H, trans —CH—CH ₂—CH ₂—CH— and—C—CH—CH₂—CH₂—CH—), 1.941 (bs, 1H, trans —CH—CH ₂—CH—). The ¹H NMRassignments are based upon 2D NMR correlation of the ¹H and ¹³C NMRchemical shifts, and are consistent with a poly(cis-1,3-cyclopentylene)repeat unit.

Example 440

The complex {[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(OEt₂)}⁺SbF₆ ^(−D) was weighed (50mg, 0.054 mmol) into a 100 mL round-bottom flask inside a dry box.Cyclopentene (20 mL, 4200 equivalents per Pd; unpurified) anddichloromethane (20 mL) were added to the flask, and stirred under anitrogen atmosphere to give a homogeneous solution. A precipitate hadformed after 3 days. After 6 days, the solvents were evaporated and thesolids were dried in a vacuum oven to give 0.20 g polymer (55turnovers/Pd). A sample of the polymer was washed several times withpetroleum ether and ether, then dried in a vacuum oven. DSC (0 to 300°C., 10° C./min, first heat): T_(g)=42° C., T_(m) (onset to end)=183 to242° C., heat of fusion=18 J/g. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, 70° C., CDCl₃,referenced to solvent peak at 7.240 ppm): 0.75 (bm, 1H, cis —CH—CH₂—CH—), 1.20 (bs, 2H, cis —CH—CH ₂—CH ₂—CH—), 1.59 and 1.68 (overlappingbs, 4H, trans —CH—CH ₂—CH ₂—CH— and —CH—CH₂—CH₂—CH—), 1.83 (bs, 1H,trans —CH—CH ₂—CH—). The ¹H NMR assignments are based upon 2D NMRcorrelation of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts, and are consistentwith a poly(cis−1,3-cyclopentylene) repeat unit.

Example 441

The complex [(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl was added (28 mg, 0.050 mmol) toa glass vial containing cyclopentene (3.40 g, 1000 equivalents per Pd;distilled twice from Na) inside a dry box. A solution of MMAO in heptane(1.47 mL, 1.7 M Al, 50 equivalents per Pd) was added with stirring togive a homogeneous solution. A precipitate began to form immediately.After 2 days, the solids were collected by vacuum filtration, washedseveral times on the filter with petroleum ether and ether, then driedin a vacuum oven to give 0.254 g polymer (75 turnovers/Pd). The polymerwas pressed at 250° C. into a transparent, gray-brown, tough film. DSC(0 to 300° C., 10° C./min, first heat): T_(g)=114° C., T_(m) (onset toend)=193 to 240° C., heat of fusion=14 J/G. GPC (Dissolved in1,2,4-trichlorobenzene at 150° C., run in tetrachloroethylene at 100°C., polystyrene calibration): peak MW=154,000, M_(n)=70,200,M_(w)=171,000, M_(w)/M_(n)=2.43.

Example 442

The complex {[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}⁺ SbF₆ ^(−D) wasweighed (42 mg, 0.050 mmol) into a glass vial inside a dry box.Cyclopentene (3.40 g, 1000 equivalents per Pd; distilled twice from Na)and dichloromethane (4.4 mL) were added with stirring to give ahomogeneous solution. After 1 day, the solids were collected by vacuumfiltration, washed several times on the filter with petroleum ether andether, then dried in a vacuum oven to give 1.605 g polymer (471turnovers/Pd). The polymer was pressed at 250° C. into a transparent,gray-brown, tough film. TGA (25 to 600° C., 10° C./min, nitrogen): T_(d)(onset to end)=473 to 499, 97.06% weight loss. TGA (25 to 600° C., 10°C./min, air): T_(d)=350° C., 5% weight loss. DSC (0 to 300° C., 10°C./min, second heat): T_(g)=94° C., T_(m) (onset to end)=191 to 242° C.,heat of fusion=14 J/g. GPC (Dissolved in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene at 150°C., run in tetrachloroethylene at 100° C., polystyrene calibration):peak MW=152,000, M_(n)=76,000, M_(w)=136,000, M_(w)/M_(n)=1.79.

Example 443

The complex [(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCl₂ was weighed (29 mg, 0.050 mmol)into a glass vial inside a dry box. Cyclopentene was added (6.81 g, 2000equivalents per Pd; distilled from polyphosphoric acid), and the vialwas cooled to <0° C. A solution of MMAO in heptane (1.00 mL, 1.7 M Al,34 equivalents per Pd) was added, with stirring to give a homogeneoussolution. After 1 day, a copious precipitate had formed. After 2 days,the solids were collected by vacuum filtration, washed several times onthe filter with ether and cyclohexane, then dried in a vacuum oven togive 1.774 g polymer (520 turnovers/Pd). The polymer was coated with5000 ppm Irganox® 1010 by evaporating an acetone slurry and drying in avacuum oven. The polymer was pressed at 290° C. into a transparent,gray-brown, tough film. DSC (25 to 330° C., 10° C./min, second heat):T_(g)=105° C., T_(m) (onset to end)=163 to 244° C., heat of fusion=21J/g.

Example 444

The complex [(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCl₂ was weighed (29 mg, 0.050 mmol)into a glass vial inside a dry box. Cyclopentene was added (6.81 g, 2000equivalents per Pd; distilled from polyphosphoric acid), and the vialwas cooled to <0° C. A solution of EtAlCl₂ in hexane (1.7 mL, 1.0 M, 34equivalents per Pd) was added with stirring to give a homogeneoussolution. After 4 days, the solids were collected by vacuum filtration,washed several times on the filter with ether and cyclohexane, thendried in a vacuum oven to give 1.427 g polymer (419 turnovers/Pd). Thepolymer was coated with 5000 ppm Irganox® 1010 by evaporating an acetoneslurry and drying in a vacuum oven. The polymer was pressed at 290° C.into a transparent, gray-brown, tough film. DSC (25 to 330° C., 10°C./min, second heat): T_(g)=103° C., T_(m) (onset to end)=153 to 256°C., heat of fusion=23 J/g.

Example 445

The complex [(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCl₂ was weighed (29 mg, 0.050 mmol)into a glass vial inside a dry box. Cyclopentene was added (6.81 g, 2000equivalents per Pd; distilled from polyphosphoric acid), and the vialwas cooled to <0° C. A solution of EtAlCl₂áEt₂AlCl in toluene (1.9 mL,0.91 M, 68 equivalents Al per Pd) was added with stirring to give ahomogeneous solution. After 4 days, the solids were collected by vacuumfiltration, washed several times on the filter with ether andcyclohexane, then dried in a vacuum oven to give 1.460 g polymer (429turnovers/Pd). The polymer was coated with 5000 ppm Irganox® 1010 byevaporating an acetone slurry and drying in a vacuum oven. The polymerwas pressed at 290° C. into a transparent, gray-brown, tough film. DSC(25 to 330° C., 10° C./min, second heat): T_(g)=101° C., T_(m) (onset toend)=161 to 258° C., heat of fusion=22 J/g.

Example 446

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed (32 mg, 0.050 mmol)into a glass vial inside a dry box. Cyclopentene was added (6.81 g, 2000equivalents per Ni; treated with 5 A molecular sieves, and distilledfrom Na and Ph₃CH), and the vial was cooled to <0° C. A solution ofEtAlCl₂áEt₂AlCl in toluene (1.9 mL, 0.91 M, 68 equivalents Al per Ni)was added with stirring to give a homogeneous solution. After 5 days,the solids were collected by vacuum filtration, washed several times onthe filter with ether and cyclohexane, and dried in a vacuum oven togive 2.421 g polymer (711 turnovers/Ni). The polymer was coated with5000 ppm Irganox® 1010 by evaporating an acetone slurry and drying in avacuum oven. The polymer was pressed at 290° C. into a transparent,brown, tough film. DSC (25 to 330° C., 10° C./min, second heat)T_(g)=103° C., T_(m) (onset to end)=178 to 272° C., heat of fusion=22J/g.

Example 447

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed (128 mg, 0.202 mmol)into a glass bottle inside a dry box. Cyclopentene was added (27.1 g,2000 equivalents per Ni; treated with polyphosphoric acid, and distilledfrom Na). A solution of EtAlCl₂ in hexane (6.8 mL, 1.0 M, 34 equivalentsAl per Ni) was added with stirring to give a homogeneous solution. After1 day, additional cyclopentene was added (58 g, 6200 total equivalentsper Ni) to the bottle containing a heavy slurry. After 5 days, thesolids were slurried with ether, collected by vacuum filtration, washedseveral times with ether and cyclohexane on the filter, and dried in avacuum oven to give 36.584 g polymer (2660 turnovers/Ni). The polymerwas washed with 50:50 aqueous HCl/MeOH, followed by several washingswith 50:50 H₂O/MeOH, and dried in a vacuum oven. A fine powder samplewas obtained using a 60 mesh screen, and coated with 5000 ppm Irganox®1010 by evaporating an acetone slurry and drying in a vacuum oven. Thefine powder was pressed at 290° C. into a transparent, pale brown, toughfilm. TGA (25 to 700° C., 10° C./min, nitrogen): T_(d) (onset toend)=478 to 510° C., 99.28% weight loss. DSC (25 to 330° C., 10° C./min,second heat): T_(g)=101° C., T_(m) (onset to end)=174 to 279° C., heatof fusion=25 J/g. DSC (330 to 25° C., 10° C./min, first cool): T_(c)(onset to end)=247 to 142° C., heat of fusion=28 J/g; T_(c) (peak)=223°C. DSC isothermal crystallizations were performed by heating samples to330° C. followed by rapid cooling to the specified temperatures, °C.,and measuring the exotherm half-times (min): 200 (1.55), 210 (1.57), 220(1.43), 225 (<1.4), 230 (1.45), 240 (1.88), 245 (1.62). DSC thermalfractionation was performed by heating a sample to 330° C. followed bystepwise isothermal equilibration at the specified temperatures, °C.,and times (hr): 290 (10), 280 (10), 270 (10), 260 (10), 250 (10), 240(8), 230 (8), 220 (8), 210 (8), 200 (6), 190 (6), 180 (6), 170 (6), 160(4), 150 (4), 140 (4), 130 (3), 120 (3), 110 (3). DSC (25 to 330° C.,10° C./min, thermal fractionation sample): T_(g)=100° C.; T_(m), °C.(heat of fusion, J/g)=128 (0.4), 139 (0.8), 146 (1.1), 156 (1.5), 166(1.9), 176 (2.1), 187 (2.6), 197 (3.0), 207 (3.2), 216 (3.2), 226 (3.4),237 (3.6), 248 (3.7), 258 (2.3), 269 (1.2), 279 (0.5), 283 (0.1); totalheat of fusion=34.6 J/g. DMA (−100 to 200° C., 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 Hz;pressed film): modulus (−100° C.)=2500 MPa, γ relaxation=−67 to −70° C.(activation energy=11 kcal/mol), modulus (25° C.)=1600 MPa, α relaxation(T_(g))=109 to 110° C. (activation energy=139 kcal/mol).

Example 448

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed (32 mg, 0.050 mmol)into a glass bottle inside a dry box. Cyclopentene was added (34.1 g,10,000 equivalents per Ni; high-purity synthetic material distilled fromNa), and the vial was cooled to <0° C. A solution of MMAO in heptane(2.7 mL, 1.95 M Al, 100 equivalents Al per Ni) was added with stirringto give a homogeneous solution. After 3 days, a copious precipitate hadformed. After 7 days, the reaction was quenched with 20 mL MeOH and 2 mLacetylacetone. The solids were washed several times with 3 mL aqueousHCl in 30 mL MeOH by decanting the free liquids. The solids werecollected by vacuum filtration, washed several times on the filter withmethanol, and dried in a vacuum oven to give 14.365 g polymer (4200turnovers/Ni). The polymer was coated with 5000 ppm Irganox® 1010 byevaporating an acetone slurry and drying in a vacuum oven. The polymerwas pressed at 290° C. into a transparent, colorless, tough film. DSC (0to 320° C., 20° C./min, second heat): T_(g)=95° C., T_(m) (onset toend)=175 to 287° C., heat of fusion 20 J/g.

Example 449

The complex [(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ was weighed (32 mg, 0.050 mmol)into a glass bottle inside a dry box. Cyclopentene was added (34.1 g,10,000 equivalents per Ni; high-purity synthetic material distilled fromNa), and the vial was cooled to <0° C. A solution of EtAlCl₂áEt₂AlCl intoluene (2.8 mL, 0.91 M, 100 equivalents Al per Ni) was added withstirring to give a homogeneous solution. After 3 days, a precipitate hadformed. After 7 days, the reaction was quenched with 20 mL MeOH and 2 mLacetylacetone. The solids were washed several times with 3 mL aqueousHCl in 30 mL MeOH by decanting the free liquids. The solids werecollected by vacuum filtration, washed several times on the filter withmethanol, and dried in a vacuum oven to give 7.254 g polymer (2113turnovers/Ni). The polymer was coated with 5000 ppm Irganox® 1010byevaporating an acetone slurry and drying in a vacuum oven. The polymerwas pressed at 290° C. into a transparent, colorless, tough film. DSC (0to 320° C., 20° C./min, second heat): T_(g)=94C, T_(m) (onset toend)=189 to 274° C., heat of fusion=18 J/g.

Example 450

Bis(benzonitrile)palladium dichloride (0.385 g, 1.00 mmol) and(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂ (0.405 g, 1.00 mmol) were weighed into a glass vialinside a dry box. Dichloromethane (8 mL) was added to give a dark orangesolution. Upon standing, the solution gradually lightened in color.Cyclohexane was added to precipitate an orange solid. The solids werecollected by vacuum filtration, washed several times with cyclohexane,and dried under vacuum to give 0.463 g (80%) of the complex[(2,6-iPrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCl₂. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, referenced tosolvent peak at 5.32 ppm): 1.19 (d, 12H, CH ₃—CHAr—CH₃), 1.45 (d, 12H,CH₃—CHAr—CH ₃), 2.07 (s, 6H, (CH ₃—C═N—Ar), 3.07 (m, 4H, (CH₃)₂—CH—Ar),7.27 (d, 4H, meta ArH), 7.38 (t, 2H, para ArH).

Example 451

A sample of polycyclopentene prepared in a similar fashion to Example317 gave a transparent, brown, tough film when pressed at 290° C. DSC(25 to 330° C., 10° C./min, second heat): T_(g)=98° C., T_(m) (onset toend)=174 to 284° C., heat of fusion=26 J/g. A 5 g sample that was moldedat 280° C. into a test specimen suitable for an apparatus that measuresthe response to changes in pressure, volume and temperature, and thedata output was used to calculate the following physical properties.Specific gravity, g/cm³, at temperature (°C.): 1.033 (30), 1.010 (110°C.), 0.887 (280), 0.853 (350). Bulk compression modulus, MPa, attemperature (°C.): 3500 (30), 2300 (110), 1500 (170). The coefficient oflinear thermal expansion was 0.00009° C.^(−D1) between 30 and 110° C.

Example 452

A solution of {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdCH₂CH₂CH₂C(O)OCH₃}⁺SbF₆ ⁻ (1.703g) in 1.5 L CH₂Cl₂ was transferred under nitrogen to a nitrogen purged 1gallon Hastalloy® autoclave. The autoclave was charged with 300 g ofpropylene and stirred for 24 h while maintaining the temperature at 25°C. The pressure was then vented. The polymer product was floating on thesolvent. Most of the solvent was removed in vacuo, and the polymer wasdissolved in minimal CHCl₃ and then reprecipitated by addition of excessacetone. The polymer was dried in vacuo at 60° C. for three days to give271 g of green rubber. Quantitative ¹³C NMR analysis, branching per 1000CH₂: Total methyls (365), ≧Butyl and end of chains (8), CHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂(31), —(CH₂)_(n)CH(CH₃)₂ n≧2 (25). Based on the total methyls, thefraction of 1,3-enchainment is 38%. Analysis of backbone carbons (per1000 CH₂): δ⁺ (138), δ⁺/γ (1.36).

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

13_(C) NMR data TCB, 120 C., 0.05 M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 47.172814.6401 46.7692 9.89618 46.3285 13.3791 45.8719 7.94399 45.4684 11.142145.2719 7.80142 44.4754 7.11855 39.1923 29.1488 38.2791 14.2142 38.130418.7602 37.9074 14.9366 37.6631 15.0761 37.2809 39.5816 35.5074 8.2903934.865 9.75536 34.5889 14.9541 34.2915 24.0579 33.2455 9.86797 32.974719.2516 30.6013 52.6926 30.134 55.0735 γ 30.0066 25.1831 γ 29.7518144.066 δ⁺ 29.3217 12.2121 3B₄ 28.2013 51.5842 27.9783 39.5566 27.537633.189 27.373 35.5457 27.1659 47.0796 27.0438 42.1247 25.6315 21.6632terminal methine of XXVIII 23.3589 15.3063 Methyl of XXVIII and XXIX,2B₄, 2B₅+, 2EOC 23.0722 18.4837 Methyl of XXVIII and XXIX, 2B₄, 2B₅+,2EOC 22.5306 77.0243 Methyl of XXVIII and XXIX, 2B₄, 2B₅+, 2EOC 21.11297.78367 20.5554 26.9634 1B₁ 20.4386 30.3105 1B₁ 20.0085 22.478 1B₁19.743 46.6467 1B₁ 13.8812 9.03898 1B₄+, 1EOC

Example 453

A 250 mL Schlenk flask was charged with 10 mg of[(2,6-i-PrPh)2DABH₂]NiBr₂ (1.7×10⁻⁵ mol), and 75 mL of dry toluene. Theflask was cooled to 0° C. and filled with propylene (1 atm) beforeaddition of 1.5 mL of a 10% MAO solution in toluene. After 45 min,acetone and water were added to quench the reaction. Solid polypropylenewas recovered from the flask and washed with 6 M HCl, H₂O, and acetone.The resulting polymer was dried under high vacuum overnight to yield 1.2g (2300 TO/h) polypropylene. Differential scanning calorimetry : Tg=−19°C. GPC (trichlorbbenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference): Mn=32,500;Mw=60,600; Mw/Mn=1.86. Quantitative ¹³C NMR analysis, branching per 1000CH₂: Total methyls (813), Based on the total methyls, the fraction of1,3-enchainment is 7%. Analysis of backbone carbons (per 1000 CH₂) δ⁺(3), δ⁺/γ (0.4).

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

13_(C) NMR data TCB, 120 C., 0.05 M CrAcAc Freq ppm Intensity 47.19418.27 46.9922 21.3352 46.8276 35.7365 46.2011 27.2778 45.4153 8.5510843.5356 2.71929 42.925 3.37998 41.5551 2.63256 38.826 3.03899 38.05618.50185 37.626 7.10732 37.4879 6.55335 37.2755 9.25058 36.1021 4.4800535.3057 14.5319 34.4986 11.1193 33.219 9.43548 32.9375 4.94953 32.2423.16177 30.8349 24.1766 30.5217 19.8151 30.0916 3.70031 28.1111 14427.5217 13.9133 27.1394 3.83857 24.5005 6.94946 21.0439 5.25857 20.534240.8641 20.0191 60.4325 19.8758 63.0429 16.9236 6.47935 16.3926 5.9205614.9006 10.6275 14.513 3.39891

Example 454

Preparation of (2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn. A Schlenk tube was charged with2-t-butylaniline (3.00 mL, 19.2 mmol) and acenaphthenequinone (1.71 g,9.39 mmol). The reagents were partially dissolved in 50 mL of methanol(acenaphthenequinone was not completely soluble) and 1-2 mL of formicacid was added. An orange solid formed and was collected via filtrationafter stirring overnight. The solid was crystallized from CH₂Cl₂ (3.51g, 84.1%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 250 MHz) δ 7.85 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, BIAn:H_(p)),7.52 (m, 2H, Ar:H_(m)), 7.35 (dd, 2H, J=8.0, 7.3 Hz, BIAn:H_(m)), 7.21(m, 4H, Ar:H_(m) and H_(p)), 6.92 (m, 2H, Ar:H_(o)), 6.81 (d, 2H, J=6.9Hz, BIAn:H_(o)), 1.38 (s, 18H, C(CH₃)₃).

Example 455

Preparation of (2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn. A Schlenk tube was charged with2,5-di-t-butylaniline (2.00 g, 9.74 mmol) and acenaphthenequinone (0.88g, 4.8 mmol). The reagents were partially dissolved in 50 mL of methanol(acenaphthenequinone was not completely soluble) and 1-2 mL of formicacid was added. A solid was collected via filtration after stirringovernight. Attempted crystallization from ether and from CH₂Cl₂ yieldedan orange/yellow powder (1.75 g, 66%. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 250 MHz) δ 7.85 (d,2H, J=8.1 Hz, BIAn: H_(p)), 7.44 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, Ar:H_(m)), 7.33 (dd,2H, J=8.4, 7.3 Hz, BIAn: H_(m)), 7.20 (dd, 2H, J=8.1, 2.2 Hz, Ar:H_(p)),6.99 (d, 2H, J=2.2 Hz, Ar:H_(o)), 6.86 (d, 2H, J=7.0 Hz, BIAn: H_(o)),1.37, 1.27 (s, 18H each; C(CH₃)₃).

Example 456

Preparation of [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂. A Schlenk tube was charged with0.202 g (0.454 mmol) of (2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn, which was then dissolved in 15mL of CH₂Cl₂. This solution was cannulated onto a suspension of(DME)NiBr₂ (0.135 g, 0.437 mmol) in 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The reactionmixture was allowed to stir overnight resulting in a deep red solution.The solution was filtered and the solvent evaporated under vacuum. Theresidue was washed with ether (2×10 mL) and an orange/rust solid wasisolated and dried under vacuum (0.18 g, 62%).

Example 457

Preparation of [(2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂. A Schlenk tube was chargedwith 0.559 g (1.00 mmol) of (2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn, 0.310 g (1.00 mmol) of(DME)NiBr₂ and 35 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The reaction mixture was allowed to stirovernight. The solution was filtered and the solvent evaporated undervacuum. The residue was washed with ether and resulted in an orangesolid which was dried under vacuum (0.64 g, 83%).

Example 458

Preparation of highly chain-straightened polypropylene with a low T_(g).The complex [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (0.0133 g, 2.0×10⁻⁵ mol) was placedinto a flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask which was then evacuated andback-filled with propylene. Freshly distilled toluene (100 mL) was addedvia syringe and the resulting solution was stirred in a water bath atroom temperature. Polymerization was initiated by addition ofmethylaluminoxane (MAO; 1.5 mL 10% soln in toluene) and a propyleneatmosphere was maintained throughout the course of the reaction. Thereaction mixture was stirred for two hours at constant temperaturefollowed by quenching with 6M HCl. Polymer was precipitated from theresulting solution with acetone, collected, washed with water andacetone, and dried under vacuum. Yield=1.41 g. DSC: T_(g) −53.6° C.,T_(m) −20.4° C. (apparent Tm is a small shoulder on the Tg).Quantitative ¹³C NMR analysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls(226), ≧Butyl and end of chains (8.5), CHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂ (2.3),—(CH₂)_(n)CH(CH₃)₂ n≧2 (12.1). Based on the total methyls, the fractionof 1,3-enchainment is 53%. Analysis of backbone carbons (per 1000 CH₂):δ⁺ (254), δ⁺/γ (1.96).

Example 459

Preparation of highly chain-straightened polypropylene with a low T_(g).The complex [(2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (0.0155 g, 2.0×10⁻⁵ mol) wasplaced into a flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask which was then evacuatedand back-filled with propylene. Freshly distilled toluene (100 mL) wasadded via syringe and the resulting solution was stirred in a water bathat room temperature. Polymerization was initiated by addition of 1.5 mLof a 10% MAO solution in toluene, and a propylene atmosphere wasmaintained throughout the course of the reaction. The reaction mixturewas stirred for two hours at constant temperature followed by quenchingwith 6M HCl. Polymer was precipitated from the resulting solution withacetone, collected, washed with water and acetone, and dried undervacuum. Yield=0.75 g. DSC: T_(g) −53.0° C., T_(m) none observed.Quantitative ¹³C NMR analysis, branching per 1000 CH₂: Total methyls(307), ≧Butyl and end of chains (11.2), —CHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂ (11.5),—(CH₂)_(n)CH(CH₃)₂, n≧2 (5.9). Based on the total methyls, the fractionof 1,3-enchainment is 43%.

Listed below are the ¹³C NMR data upon which the above analysis isbased.

Example 460

Preparation of highly chain-straightened poly-1-hexene with a highT_(m). A flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask under a nitrogen atmospherewas charged with 40 mL of freshly distilled toluene, 0.0133 g of[(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (2.0×10⁻⁵ mol), 5.0 mL of 1-hexene, and 55 mLmore toluene (100 mL total volume of liquid). Polymerization wasinitiated by addition of 2.0 mL of MAO (10% solution in toluene). Thereaction mixture was stirred for 11.5 hours at room temperature followedby quenching with 6M HCl. Polymer was precipitated from the resultingsolution with acetone, collected via filtration, washed with water andacetone, and dried under vacuum. Yield=1.84 g. DSC: T_(g) −44.8° C.,T_(m) 46.0° C.

Example 461

Preparation of highly chain-straightened poly-1-hexene with a highT_(m). A flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask under a nitrogen atmospherewas charged with 40 mL of freshly distilled toluene, 0.0155 g of[(2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (2.0×10⁻⁵ mol), 5.0 mL of 1-hexene, and 55 mLmore toluene (100 mL total volume of liquid). Polymerization wasinitiated by addition of 2.0 mL of MAO (10% solution in toluene). Thereaction mixture was stirred for 11.5 hours at room temperature followedby quenching with 6M HCl. Polymer was precipitated from the resultingsolution with acetone, collected via filtration, washed with water andacetone, and dried under vacuum. Yield=1.07 g. DSC: T_(g) −54.7° C.,T_(m) 12.5° C.

Example 462

Preparation of [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe₂ from (1,5-cyclooctadiene)PdMe₂.The Pd(II) precursor (1,5-cyclooctadiene)PdMe₂ ((COD)PdMe₂) was preparedaccording reported procedures (Rudler-Chauvin, M.; Rudler, H. J.Organomet. Chem., 1977, 134, 115.) and was handled using Schlenktechniques at temperatures of −10° C. or below. A flame-dried Schlenktube was charged with 0.056 g (0.229 mmol) of (COD)PdMe₂ and cooled to40° C. in a dry ice/isopropanol bath. The solid was dissolved in 10 mLof ether, and the diimine (2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn (0.106 g, 0.238 mmol) wascannulated onto the stirring solution as a slurry in 15 mL of ether. Thereaction was warmed to 0° C. and stirring was continued for two hours.The reaction flask was stored at −30° C. for several days and resultedin the formation of a green precipitate which was isolated viafiltration. The supernatant was pumped dry under high vacuum and alsoresulted in a green solid. Both solids were determined to be[(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe₂ by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Isolated yield=0.083 g(0.143 mmol, 62.46%).

Example 463

Preparation of [(2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe₂ from (1,5-cyclooctadiene)PdMe₂.The Pd(II) precursor (1,5-cyclooctadiene)PdMe₂ ((COD)PdMe₂) was preparedaccording reported procedures (Rudler-Chauvin, M.; Rudler, H. J.Organomet. Chem., 1977, 134, 115.) and was handled using Schlenktechniques at temperatures of −15° C. or below. A flame-dried Schlenktube was charged with 0.102 g (0.417 mmol) of (COD)PdMe₂ and cooled to−30° C. in a dry ice/isopropanol bath. The solid was dissolved in 10 mLof ether, and the diimine (2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn (0.234 g, 0.420 mmol) wascannulated onto the stirring solution as a slurry in 40 mL of ether. Thereaction was warmed to 0° C. and stirring was continued for four hours.The reaction flask was stored at −30° C. overnight. The resulting darkgreen solution was filtered and the solvent was pulled off under highvacuum to give a dark green powder. Analysis by ¹H NMR spectroscopyshowed the solid to be consistent with the desired product,[(2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe₂. Yield=0.256 g (0.370 mmol, 88.7%).

Example 464

In a dry box, polymer from Example 469 (0.57 g), THF (10.10 g) andacetic anhydride (0.65 g) were placed in a 20 mL vial equipped with astirring bar. After one hour at room temperature, the vial was removedfrom the dry box and the polymerization terminated by the addition ofTHF, water and ether. The organic phase was separated, washed with water(2×), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentrated at reducedpressure and then dried under vacuum, affording 4.44 g of polymer. GPCanalysis (PS STD.): Mn=17600, Mw=26000, PD=1.48.

Example 465 Preparation of CH₂═CH(CH₂)₂CHICH₂(CF₂)₂OCF₂CF₂SO₂F

A mixture of 72 g of hexadiene, 127.8 g of ICF₂CF₂OCF₂CF₂SO₂F, 7.0 g ofCu powder and 180 mL of hexane was stirred at 90° C. overnight. Solidswere removed by filtration and washed with hexane. After removal ofvolatiles, residue was distilled to give 115.3 g of product, bp 80°C./210 Pa. ¹⁹F NMR: +45 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1F), −82.7 (m, 2F), −88.1 (dt,J=42.5 Hz, J=12.6 Hz, 1F), −88.7 (dt, J=45.5 Hz, J=12.6 Hz, 1F), −112.7(m, 2F), −115.9 (ddd, J=2662.2 Hz, J=30.0 Hz, J=8.2 Hz, 1F), −118.9(ddd, J=262.2 Hz, J=26.8 Hz, J=7.4 Hz, 1F).

Example 466 Preparation of CH₂═CH(CH₂)₄(CF₂)₂OCF₂CF₂SO₂F

To a stirred solution of 100 g of CH₂═CH(CH₂)₂CHICH₂(CF₂)₂OCF₂CF₂SO₂Fand 200 mL of ether was added 63 g of Bu₃SnH at room temperature. Afterthe addition was complete, the reaction mixture was refluxed for 4 hoursand then cooled with ice water. Excess of Bu₃SnH was destroyed byaddition of iodine. After being diluted with 200 mL of ether, thereaction mixture was treated with a solution of 25 g of KF in 200 mL ofwater for 30 min. The solids were removed by filtration through a funnelwith silica gel and washed with ether. The ether layer was separated andwashed with water, aqueous NaCl solution and dried over MgSO₄. Afterremoval of the ether, residue was distilled to give 54.7 g of product,bp 72° C./1.3 kPa, and 12.2 g of starting material.

¹⁹F NMR: +45 (m, 1F), −82.7 (m, 2F), −88.0 (m, 2F), −112.6 (m, 2F),−118.6 (t, J=18.4 Hz, 2F).

Example 467

Preparation of CH₂═CH(CH₂)₄(CF₂)₄OCF₂CF₂SO₂F

A mixture of 24 g of hexadiene, 53 g of I(CF₂)₄OCF₂CF₂SO₂F, 3.0 g of Cupowder and 60 mL of hexane was stirred at 70° C. overnight. Solids wereremoved by filtration and washed with hexane. After removal ofvolatiles, residue was distilled to give 115.3 g of adduct,CH₂═CH(CH₂)₂CHICH₂(CF₂)₄OCF₂CF₂SO₂F, bp 74° C./9 Pa. ¹⁹F NMR: +45.5 (m,1F), −82.4 (m, 2F), −83.5 (m, 2F), −112.2 (dm, J=270 Hz, 1F), −112.6 (m,2F), −115.2 (dm, J=270 Hz, 1F), −124.3 (s, 2F), −125.5 (m, 2F).

To stirred solution of 47 g of CH₂═CH(CH₂)₂CHICH₂(CF₂)₄OCF₂CF₂SO₂F and150 mL of ether was added 27 g of Bu₃SnH at room temperature. After theaddition was complete, the reaction mixture was stirred overnight.Excess of Bu₃SnH was destroyed by addition of iodine. After beingdiluted with 150 mL of ether, the reaction mixture was treated with asolution of 20 g of KF in 100 mL of water for 30 min. The solids wereremoved by filtration through a funnel with silica gel and washed withether. The ether layer was separated and washed with water, aqueous NaClsolution and dried over MgSO₄. After removal of the ether, residue wasdistilled to give 24.7 g of product, bp 103° C./1.3 kPa. ¹⁹F NMR: +45.4(m, 1F), −82.4 (m, 2F), −83.5 (m, 2F), −112.6 (t, J=2.6 Hz, 2F), −115.1(t, J=15 Hz, 2F), −124.3 (s, 2F), −125.7 (t, J=14 Hz, 2F). HRMS: calcdfor C₁₂H₁₁F₁₃SO₃: 482.0221. Found: 482.0266.

Example 468 Hydrolysis of Copolymer

Copolymer containing 8.5 mol % of comonomer (1.5 g) was dissolved in 30mL of THF at room temperature. KOH (0.5 g) in 5 mL of ethanol and 3 mLof water was added and the resulting mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for six hours. After removal of the solvent, residue wastreated with diluted HCl for 70 hours and then filtered to give solidswhich were washed with water, HCl and dried under full vacuum at 70° C.for two days to give 1.4 g solid.

Example 469 Hydrolysis of Copolymer

A mixture of 10.6 g of copolymer 5.0 g of KOH, 2 mL of water, 30 mL ofethanol and 30 mL of THF was stirred at room temperature overnight andat 60 to 70° C. for 5 hours. After removal of a half of solvents,residue was treated with Conc. HCl to give rubbery material, which waspoured into a blender and blended with water for 30 min. Filtration gavesolids, which were washed with conc. HCl, and water and dried undervacuum at 60° C. overnight to give 8.7 g of dark rubbery material. ¹⁹FNMR(THF): −82.8 (br, 2F), −88.5 (br, 2F), −118.3 (br, 2F), −118.5 (br,2F).

Example 470 Hydrolysis of Homopolymer

A solution of 2.0 g of KOH in 25 mL of ethanol and 2 mL of waster wasadded to a flask with 3.0 g of homopolymer. The resulting heterogeneousmixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and heated to 60° C.for 2hours. After removal of one-half of liquid, the reaction mixturetreated with 40 mL of conc. HCl for 30 min. Filtration gave white solidswhich were washed with conc. HCl, and distilled water and dried undervacuum at 60-70° C. for 24 hours to give 2.9 g of white powder.

Example 471

1-Octadecene (8 mL, 8 vol %) was added to a suspension of[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂ (12 mg, 1.7×10⁻⁵ mol) in 100 mL of drytoluene. The flask was cooled to −1° C. using an Endocal® refrigeratedcirculating bath and 2.5 mL of a 7% MMAO solution in heptane was added.After stirring the reaction for 40 min, the flask was filled withpropylene (1 atm) and stirred for 20 minutes. The propylene was removedin vacuo and the reaction allowed to continue for an additional 40 min.Acetone and water were added to quench the polymerization andprecipitate the polymer. The resulting triblock polymer was dried underhigh vacuum overnight to yield 650 mg of a rubbery solid. GPC(trichlorobenzene, 135° C., polystyrene reference): M_(n)=60,100;M_(w)=65,500; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.09. DSC analysis: Two melt transitions wereobserved. T_(m)=8° C. (32 J/g), T_(m)=37° C. (6.5 J/g). ¹H-NMR analysis(CDCl₃): signals attributable to repeat units of propylene and1-octadecene were observed.

Example 472 Preparation of (2-i-Pr-6-MePh)₂DABAn

A Schlenk tube was charged with 2-isopropyl-6-methylaniline (5.00 mL,30.5 mmol) and acenaphthenequinone (2.64 g, 14.5 mmol). The reagentswere partially dissolved in 50 mL of methanol (acenaphthenequinone wasnot completely soluble) and 1-2 mL of formic acid was added. Anorange/yellow solid was collected via filtration after stirringovernight, and was washed with methanol and dried under vacuum.

Example 473 Preparation of (2-i-Pr-6-MePh)₂DABMe₂

A Schlenk tube was charged with 2-isopropyl-6-methylaniline (5.00 mL,30.5 mmol) and 2,3-butanedione (1.31 mL, 14.9 mmol). Methanol (5 mL) andone drop of concentrated HCl were added and the mixture was heated toreflux with stirring for 30 minutes. The methanol and remaining dionewere removed under vacuum to give a dark, oily residue. The oil waschromatographed on a silica gel column using 10% ethyl acetate: 90%hexane as the eluent. The fractions containing the pure diimine werecombined and concentrated. The remaining solvents were removed undervacuum to give a pale yellow powder (0.9217 g, 17.75%).

Example 474 Preparation of [(2-i-Pr-6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂

Under inert conditions, a flame-dried Schlenk tube was charged with 0.50g (1.13 mmol) of (2-i-Pr-6-MePh)₂DABAn, 0.34 g (1.10 mmol) of (DME)NiBr₂and 25 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir overnight.The solution was filtered and the solvent removed under vacuum. Theresidue was washed with ether (4×10 mL) to give an orange/yellow powderwhich was dried under vacuum overnight (0.68 g, 94%).

Example 475 Preparation of [(2-i-Pr-6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr2

Under inert conditions, a flame-dried Schlenk tube was charged with0.3040 g (0.8722 mmol) of (2-i-Pr-6-MePh)₂DABMe₂, 0.2640 g (0.8533 mmol)of (DME)NiBr₂ and 25 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The reaction mixture was allowed tostir overnight. A solid was collected via filtration and washed withether (2×10 mL). Upon sitting, more solid precipitated from thesupernatant. This precipitate was isolated via filtration, washed withether, and combined with the originally isolated product. The combinedyellow/orange solids were dried under vacuum overnight (0.68 g, 94%).

Example 476

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the complex [(2-i-Pr-6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂(0.0099 g, 1.5×10⁻⁵ mol) was placed into a flame-dried 250 mL Schlenkflask which was then evacuated and back-filled with propylene. Freshlydistilled toluene (100 mL) was added via syringe and the resultingsolution was stirred for five minutes at room temperature.Polymerization was initiated with addition of methylaluminoxane (MAO;1.5 mL 10% solution in toluene) and a propylene atmosphere wasmaintained throughout the course of the reaction. The reaction wasstirred for two hours at constant temperature, at which point thepolymerization was by quenched with 6M HCl. Polymer was precipitatedfrom the resulting solution with acetone, washed with water and acetone,and dried under vacuum. Yield=3.09 g. DSC: T_(g) −31.2° C. GPC:M_(n)=142,000; M_(w)=260,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.83.

Example 477

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the complex [(2-i-Pr-6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂(0.0094 g, 1.5×10⁻⁵ mol) was placed into a flame-dried 250 mL Schlenkflask which was then evacuated and back-filled with propylene. Freshlydistilled toluene (100 mL) was added via syringe and the resultingsolution was stirred for five min at room temperature. Polymerizationwas initiated with addition of methylaluminoxane (MAO; 1.5 mL 10%solution in toluene) and a propylene atmosphere was maintainedthroughout the course of the reaction. The reaction was stirred for twohours at constant temperature, at which point the polymerization was byquenched with 6M HCl. Polymer was precipitated from the resultingsolution with acetone, washed with water and acetone, and dried undervacuum. Yield=1.09 g. DSC: T_(g) −36.1° C. GPC: M_(n)=95,300;M_(w)=141,000; M_(w)/M_(n)=1.48.

Example 478

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask wascharged with 40 mL of freshly distilled toluene, 0.0133 g (2.0×10⁻⁵ mol)of [(2-i-Pr-6-MePh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂, 10.0 mL of 1-hexene, and 50 mL moretoluene (100 mL total volume of liquid). The mixture was stirred in aroom temperature water bath for 10 minutes and polymerization wasinitiated with addition of 2.0 mL of MAO (10% solution in toluene). Thereaction mixture was stirred for one hour at room temperature and wasquenched with 6M HCl. Polymer was precipitated from the resultingsolution with acetone, collected via filtration, washed with water andacetone, and dried under vacuum. Yield=3.23 g. DSC: T_(g) −58.0° C.,T_(m) −16.5° C.

Example 479

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask wascharged with 40 mL of freshly distilled toluene, 0.0125 g (2.0×10⁻⁵ mol)of [(2-i-Pr-6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]NiBr₂, 10.0 mL of 1-hexene, and 50 mL moretoluene (100 mL total volume of liquid). The mixture was stirred in aroom temperature water bath for 10 min and polymerization was initiatedwith addition of 2.0 mL of MAO (10% solution in toluene). The reactionmixture was stirred for 22 h at room temperature and was quenched with6M HCl. Polymer was precipitated from the resulting solution withacetone, collected via filtration, washed with water and acetone, anddried under vacuum. Yield=2.10 g. DSC: T_(g) −56.4° C., T_(m) 0.2° C.

Example 480

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask wascharged with 40 mL of freshly distilled toluene, 0.0133 g (2.0×10⁻⁵ mol)of [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂, 10.0 mL of 1-hexene, and 50 mL more toluene(100 mL total volume of liquid). The mixture was stirred in anisopropanol bath maintained at approximately −10 to −12^(i) C., andpolymerization was initiated with addition of 2.5 mL of MMAO (7.2%solution in heptane). The reaction mixture was stirred for two hours atconstant temperature and was quenched with acetone/water/6M HCl. Themixture was added to acetone to precipitate the polymer. After settlingovernight the polymer was collected via filtration, washed with waterand acetone, and dried under vacuum. Yield=0.35 g. DSC: (two broad melttransitions observed) T_(m)(1) 34.3° C., T_(m)(2) 66.4° C. Based on the¹H NMR spectrum, the polymer contains 41 methyl branches/1000 carbons(theoretical=55.5 Me/1000 C.), indicating a high degree of chainstraightening.

Example 481

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask wascharged with 25 mL of freshly distilled toluene, 0.0133 g (2.0×10⁻⁵ mol)of [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]NiBr₂, 63 mL more toluene, and 12.0 mL of1-octadecene (100 mL total volume of liquid). The flask was cooled to−10° C. in a CO₂/isopropanol bath and stirred at this temperature forseveral minutes. The temperature was maintained at approximately −10° C.throughout the reaction by continually adding dry ice as needed.Polymerization of 1-octadecene was initiated with addition of 2.5 mL ofMMAO (7.2% solution in heptane). At 2 h, 10 min the reaction flask wastwice evacuated and back-filled with propylene. The polymerization wasstirred under one atmosphere of propylene for 20 min. The propylene wasremoved by repeatedly evacuating the flask and back-filling with argonuntil propylene evolution from the solution was no longer apparent. Thepolymerization was allowed to continue stirring in the presence of theremaining 1-octadecene until a total elapsed time of five hours wasreached. The reaction was quenched with acetone/water/6M HCl. Polymerwas precipitated in methanol/acetone, collected via filtration, washedwith water and acetone, and dried under vacuum. Yield=1.03 g. DSC: T_(g)8.0° C., T_(m) 53.3° C. GPC: M_(n)=55,500; M_(w)=68,600;M_(w)/M_(n)=1.24. It is believed a block copolymer was formed.

Example 482 Preparation of [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(Et₂O)BAF⁻

Under inert conditions, a flame-dried Schlenk tube was charged with0.1978 g (3.404×10⁻⁴ mol) of [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe₂ and 0.3451 g(3.408×10⁻⁴ mol) of H⁺(Et₂O)₂BAF⁻. The Schlenk tube was cooled to −78°C. and 10 mL of ether was added. The Schlenk tube was transferred to anice water bath and the reaction was stirred until the solids weredissolved and the color of the solution became deep red. The ether wasthen removed under vacuum to give a red, glassy solid that was crushedinto a powder (yield was quantitative).

Example 483 Preparation of [(2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(Et₂O)BAF⁻

Following the procedure of Example 482, a red solid with the structure[(2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(Et₂O)BAF⁻ was obtained (quantitative yield).

Example 484 Preparation of [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)BAF⁻

Under inert conditions, a flame-dried Schlenk tube was charged with0.1002 g (0.378 mmol) of (COD)PdMeCl and 0.3348 g (0.378 mmol) of NaBAF.The Schlenk tube was cooled to −30° C. and 25 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and 0.10 mLof NCMe were added via syringe. The reaction was stirred for two h at−20 to −30° C. The resulting colorless solution was filtered intoanother cooled Schlenk tube, 20 mL of hexane was added, and the solventswere removed under vacuum to give a white powder [isolated(COD)PdMe(NCMe)BAF⁻]. This cationic precursor was combined with 0.138 g(0.396 mmol) of (2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂ in 50 mL of NCMe. The reaction mixturewas stirred overnight at room temperature. The solution was filtered andextracted with hexane (3×10 mL), and the solvents were removed undervacuum. The resulting yellow oil was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂/hexane and thesolvents were removed under vacuum to give a glassy solid that wascrushed into a powder. Two isomers were observed in solution by ¹H NMRspectroscopy. These two isomers arise from the coordination of theunsymmetrically substituted ligand in either the cis or trans fashion inregard to the t-butyl groups relative to the square plane of thecomplex.

Example 485 Polymerization of ethylene with[(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(Et₂O)BAF⁻

A flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.1505 g (1.001×10⁻⁴mol) of [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(Et₂O)BAF⁻ in the glove box. The flask wastwice evacuated and back-filled with ethylene and then cooled to −60° C.The solid was dissolved in 100 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and the flask was allowed towarm to room temperature with stirring under an atmosphere of ethylene.After stirring for 23 h the polymerization was quenched with methanol.The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the polymer wasdissolved in petroleum ether and filtered through silica gel. Thefiltrate was concentrated and the remaining solvent was removed undervacuum to give a clear, colorless, viscous liquid. Yield=0.2824 g. ¹HNMR analysis: 125 Me/1000 CH₂.

Example 486

A flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.1621 g (1.003×10⁻⁴mol) of [(2,5-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(Et₂O)BAF⁻ in the glove box. The flaskwas twice evacuated and back-filled with ethylene and then cooled to−60° C. The solid was dissolved in 100 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and the flask wasallowed to warm to room temperature with stirring under an atmosphere ofethylene. After stirring for 23 h the polymerization was quenched withmethanol. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the polymerwas dissolved in petroleum ether and filtered through silica gel. Thefiltrate was concentrated and the remaining solvent was removed undervacuum to give a clear, colorless, viscous liquid. Yield=0.2809 g. ¹HNMR analysis: 136 Me/1000 CH₂.

Example 487

A flame-dried 250 mL Schlenk flask was charged with 0.1384 g (1.007×10⁻⁴mol) of [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)BAF⁻ in the glove box. The flaskwas twice evacuated and back-filled with ethylene and then cooled to−60° C. The solid was dissolved in 100 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and the flask wasallowed to warm to room temperature with stirring under an atmosphere ofethylene. After stirring for 23 h the polymerization was quenched withmethanol. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the polymerwas dissolved in petroleum ether and filtered through silica gel. Thefiltrate was concentrated and the remaining solvent was removed undervacuum to give a clear, colorless, viscous liquid. Yield=2.40 g. ¹H NMRanalysis: 123 Me/1000 CH₂.

Example 488

Under inert conditions, a Schlenk tube was charged with 0.0142 g(1.02×10⁻⁵ mol) of [(2-t-BuPh)₂DABAn]PdMe(Et₂O)BAF⁻. The Schlenk tubewas cooled to −78° C. and the solid was dissolved in 30 mL of CH₂Cl₂. A300 mL autoclave was charged with 70 mL of CH₂Cl₂ under an ethyleneatmosphere. The cold catalyst solution was quickly transferred viacannula into the Parr® reactor and the reactor was pressurized to 172kPa (absolute). The polymerization was stirred for 20 h and the ethylenepressure was released. The red/orange solution was transferred and thesolvent was removed under vacuum. A small amount of polyethyleneremained after drying under vacuum overnight. Yield=0.17 g. ¹H NMRanalysis: 120 Me/1000 CH₂.

Example 489

Following the procedure described in Example 488, 1.68 g of polyethylenewas produced using 0.0140 g (1.02×10 mol) of[(2-t-BuPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMe(NCMe)BAF⁻. Yield=1.68 g. ¹H NMR analysis: 114Me/1000 CH₂.

Example 490

Under nitrogen, Ni(COD)₂ (0.017 g, 0.062 mmol) and (2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn(0.026 g, 0.062 mmol) were dissolved in 2.00 g of cyclopentene to give apurple solution. The solution was then exposed to air for severalseconds. The resulting dark red-brown solution was then put back undernitrogen, and EtAlCl₂ (1 M solution in toluene, 3.0 mL, 3.0 mmol) wasadded. A cranberry-red solution formed instantly. The reaction mixturewas stirred at room temperature for 3 days, during which timepolycyclopentene precipitated. The reaction was then quenched by theaddition of methanol followed by several drops of concentrated HCl. Thereaction mixture was filtered, and the product polymer washed withmethanol and dried to afford 0.92 g of polycyclopentene as an off-whitepowder. Thermal gravimetric analysis of this sample showed a weight lossstarting at 141° C.: the sample lost 18% of its weight between 141 and470° C., and the remaining material decomposed between 470 and 496° C.

Example 491

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, Ni(COD)₂ (0.017 g, 0.06 mmol) andMeC(═N-2,6-C₆H₃-iPr₂)CH═C(NH-C₆H₃-iPr₂)Me (0.025 g, 0.06 mmol) weredissolved in benzene (5.0 mL). To the resulting solution was addedHBAF.(Et₂O)₂ (0.060 g, 0.06 mmol). The resulting solution wasimmediately frozen inside a 40 mL shaker tube glass insert. The glassinsert was transferred to a shaker tube, and its contents allowed tothaw under an ethylene atmosphere. The reaction mixture was agitatedunder 6.9 MPa C₂H₄ for 40 h at ambient temperature. The final reactionmixture contained polyethylene, which was washed with methanol anddried; yield of polymer 1.37 g. Branching per 1000 CH₂'s was determinedby ¹³C NMR (C₆D₃Cl₃): Total methyls (10.2), Methyl (8.8), Ethyl (1.1),Propyl (0), Butyl (0), ≧Am and end of chains (3.2), ≧Bu and end ofchains (.3)

Example 492

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, Ni(COD)₂ (0.017 g, 0.06 mmol) and theligand shown below (0.025 g, 0.06 mmol) were dissolved in benzene (5.0mL). To the resulting solution was added HBAF.(Et₂O)₂ (0.060 g, 0.06mmol). The resulting solution was immediately frozen inside a 40 mLshaker tube glass insert. The glass insert was transferred to a shakertube, and its contents allowed to thaw under an ethylene atmosphere. Thereaction mixture was agitated under 6.9 MPa C₂H₄ for 18 h at ambienttemperature. The final reaction mixture contained polyethylene, whichwas washed with methanol and dried; yield of polymer=11.0 g.

Example 493 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(η³-CHEtPh)]}BAF

In a nitrogen-filled drybox, 25 mL of Et₂O was added to a flaskcontaining [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (402 mg, 0.716 mmol) and NaBAF(633 mg, 0.714 mmol) to yield an orange solution. Styrene (110 μL, 0.960mmol, 1.35 equiv) was dissolved in ˜10 mL of Et₂O and the resultingsolution was added to the reaction mixture, which was then stirred for 3h. Next, the solution was filtered and the solvent was removed in vacuo:The resulting orange powder (0.93 g, 87%) was washed with hexane anddried in vacuo. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz, rt) δ 7.76 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)),7.59 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.46-7.17 (m, 9, H_(aryl)), 6.29 (d, 1, J=7.33,H_(aryl)), 5.65 (d, 1, J=6.59, H_(aryl)), 3.33, 3.13, 2.37 and 1.93(septet, 1 each, J=6.97-6.72, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂, C′″HMe₂), 3.17 (dd,1, J=11.36, 3.66, CHEtPh), 2.22 and 2.17 (s, 3 each, N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N),1.52, 1.45, 1.26, 1.26, 1.19, 1.15, 0.94 and 0.73 (d, 3 each,J=6.97-6.59, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′, C″HMeMe′, C′″HMeMe′), 0.88 (t, 3,J=0.88, CH(CH₂CH₃)Ph), 1.13 and −0.06 (m, 1 each, CH(CHH′CH₃)Ph); ¹³CNMR (CD₂Cl₂, 75 MHz, rt) δ 176.6 and 174.0 (N═C—C′═N), 162.2 (q,J_(CB)49.3, BAF:C_(ipso)), 142.8 and 142.4 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 138.2,137.3, 137.1, and 136.9 (Ar, Ar′:C_(o)), 135.2 (BAF:C_(o),C_(o)′), 134.6and 132.2 (Ph: C_(o), C_(m), or C_(p))), 129.4 (BAF:C_(m)), 129.0 and128.5 (Ar, Ar′:C_(p)), 125.1, 125.1, 124.9 and 124.7 (Ar, Ar′:C_(m)),125.1 (q, J_(CF)=272.5, BAF:CF₃), 120.2 (Ph: C_(ipso)) and 120.0 (Ph:C_(o), C_(m), or C_(p)), 117.9 (BAF:C_(p)), 103.0 and 88.6 (Ph: C_(o)′,and C_(m)′), 69.1(CHEtPh), 29.9, 29.7, 29.12 and 29.09 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂,C″HMe₂, C′″HMe₂), 24.4, 24.3, 23.5, 23.4, 23.1, 23.0, 22.9, and 22.7(CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′, C′″HMeMe′, C′″HMeMe′), 20.8, 20.65, and 20.61(N═C(Me)-C′(Me)═N, CH(CH₂CH₃)Ph)), 13.1 (CH(CH₂CH₃)Ph).

Example 494 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd(η³-CHEt(4-C₆H₄-t-Bu)]}BAF

t-Butylstyrene (230 μL, 1.26 mmol, 1.10 equiv) was added via microlitersyringe to a mixture of [(2.6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]PdMeCl (611 mg, 1.15 mmol)and NaBAF (1.01 g, 1.14 mmol) dissolved in 25 mL of Et₂O. An additional25 mL of Et₂O was added to the reaction mixture, which was then stirredfor ˜12 h. The resulting deep red solution was filtered, and the solventwas removed in vacuo to yield a sticky red solid. The solid was washedwith 150 mL of hexane and the product was dried in vacuo. A dull orangepowder (1.59 g, 91.7%) was obtained: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, rt) δ 8.34and 8.16 (s, 1 each, N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.72 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.56 (s,4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.5-7.1 (m, 8, H_(aryl)), 6.88 (dd, 1, J=7.1, 1.9,H_(aryl)), 6.11 (dd, 1, J=7.3, 2.0, H_(aryl)), 3.49, 3.37, 2.64 and 2.44(septet, 1 each, J=6.6-6.9, CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂ and C′″HMe₂), 3.24(dd, 1, J=11.3, 4.1, CHEt(4-C₆H₄-t-Bu)), 1.52, 1.48, 1.24, 1.24, 1.19,1.18, 1.0 and 0.70 (d, 3 each, J=6.8-6.9, CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′, C″HMeMe′,and C′″HMeMe′), 1.42 and 0.25 (m, 1 each, CH(CHH′CH₃) (4-C₆H₄-t-Bu)),0.98 (s, 9, t-Bu), 0.87 (t, 3, J=7.4, CH(CH₂CH₃) (4-C₆H₄-t-Bu); ¹³C NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 100 MHz, rt) δ 165.0 (J_(CH)=165, N═C(H)), 163.3 (J_(CH)=165,N═C′(H)), 162.2 (q, J_(CB)=49.9, BAF:C_(ipso)) 157.0 (C₆H₄-t-Bu: C_(p)),144.9 and 144.6 (Ar, Ar′:C_(ipso)), 139.0, 138.4, 138.2 and 137.4 (Ar,Ar′:C_(o), C_(o)′), 135.2 (BAF:C_(o)), 133.3, 129.8, 129.6 and 129.2(Ar, Ar′:C_(p); C₆H₄-t-Bu: C_(o), C_(m)), 129.3 (q, BAF:C_(m)), 125.0(q, J_(CF)=272, BAF:CF₃), 124.7, 124.64, 124.55, and 124.3 (Ar,Ar′:C_(m), C_(m)′), 117.9 (BAF:C_(p)), 119.1, 116.4 and 94.9 (C₆H₄-t-Bu:C_(m)′, C_(ipso), C_(o)′), 68.5 (CHEt), 36.2 (CMe₃), 30.2 (CMe₃), 30.1,29.9, 28.80 and 28.77 (CHMe₂, C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂ and C′″HMe₂), 25.0, 24.8,24.1, 22.8, 22.7, 22.45, 22.36, and 22.1 (CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′, C″HMeMe′and C′″HMeMe′), 21.7 (CH(CH₂CH₃)), 13.2 (CH(CH₂CH₃)). Anal. Calcd for(C₇₁H₆₇BF₂₄N₂Pd): C, 56.05; H, 4.44; N, 1.84. Found: C, 56.24; H, 4.22;N, 1.59.

Example 495 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(η³-CHEtC₆F₅)}BAF

A solution of H₂C═CHC₆F₅ (138 mg, 0.712 mmol) in 10 mL of Et₂O was addedto a mixture of [(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]PdMeCl (401 mg, 0.713 mmol) andNaBAF (635 mg, 0.716 mmol) dissolved in 25 mL of Et₂O. After beingstirred for 2 h, the reaction mixture was filtered and the solvent wasremoved in vacuo. An orange powder (937 mg, 83.0%) was obtained.

Example 496 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Ni[η³CHEt(4-C₆H₄-t-Bu)]}BAF

In the drybox, {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]NiMe(OEt₂)}BAF (22.4 mg, 0.0161mmol) was placed in an NMR tube. The tube was sealed with a septum andParafilm®, removed from the drybox, and cooled to −78° C. CD₂Cl₂ (700μL) and H₂C═CH(4-C₆H₄-t-Bu) (15 μL, 5.10 equiv) were then added viagastight microliter syringe to the cold tube in sequential additions.The septum was sealed with a small amount of grease and more Parafilm,the tube was shaken briefly and then transferred to the cold (−78° C.)NMR probe. Insertion of t-butylstyrene was observed at −78° C. and wascomplete upon warming to −50° C. to yield the π-benzyl complex: ¹H NMR(CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz, −50_(i) C.) δ 8.43 and 8.18 (s, 1 each,N═C(H)—C′(H)═N), 7.76 (s, 8, BAF:H_(o)), 7.58 (s, 4, BAF:H_(p)), 7.5-7.1(m, 8, H_(aryl)), 6.80 (d, 1, J=7.3, H_(aryl)), 6.15 (d, 1, J=7.7,H_(aryl)), 3.72, 3.18, 2.68 and 2.50 (septet, 1 each, J=6.5-6.7, CHMe₂,C′HMe₂, C″HMe₂ and C′″HMe₂), 2.56 (dd, 1, J=11.5, 3.9, CHEt), 1.6-0.8(CHMeMe′, C′HMeMe′, C″HMeMe′, C′″HMeMe′, and CH(CHH′CH₃)), 0.94 (s, 9,CMe₃), 0.72 (t, 3, J=7.3, CH(CH₂CH₃)), −0.04 (m, 1, CH(CHH′CH₃)).

Examples 497-515 General Procedure for the Synthesis of π-Allyl TypeNickel Compounds

A mixture of one equiv. of the appropriate α-diimine, one equiv ofNaBAF, and 0.5 equiv of [(allyl)Ni(μ-X)]₂ (X=Cl or Br) was dissolved inEt₂O. The reaction mixture was stirred for ˜2 h before being filtered.The solvent was removed in vacuo to yield the desired product, generallyas a red or purple powder. (The [(allyl)Ni(μ-X)]₂ precursors weresynthesized according to the procedures published in the followingreference: Wilke, G.; Bogdanovic, B.; Hardt, P.; Heimbach, P.; Keim, W.;Kroner, M.; Oberkirch, W.; Tanaka, K.; Steinrucke, E.; Walter, D.;Zimmermann, H. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1966, 5, 151-164.) Thefollowing compounds were synthesized according to the above generalprocedure.

Example 497

{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABMe₂]Ni(η³-C₃H₅)}BAF

Example 498

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni(η³-C₃H₅)}BAF

Example 499

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCHMe)}BAF

Example 500

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCHPh)}BAF

Example 501

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCMe₂)}BAF

Example 502

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-C₃H₅)}BAF

Example 503

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCHMe)}BAF

Example 504

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCHPh)}BAF

Example 505

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCMe₂)}BAF

Example 506

{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCHMe)}BAF

Example 507

{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCHPh)}BAF

Example 508

{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-C₃H₅)}BAF

Example 509

{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCMe₂)}BAF

Example 510

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CC(COOMe)CH₂)}BAF

Example 511

{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CC(COOMe)CH₂)}BAF

Example 512

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCH(COOEt)]BAF

Example 513

{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCH(COOEt)}BAF

Example 514

{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCHCl)}BAF

Example 515

{[(2,4, 6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³-H₂CCHCHCl)}BAF

Examples 516-537

Polymerizations catalyzed by nickel and palladium π-benzyl initiatorsand by nickel allyl initiators are illustrated in the following Tablecontaining Examples 516-537. The initiation of polymerizations catalyzedby nickel allyl initiators where the allyl ligand was substituted withfunctional groups, such as chloro or ester groups, was often aided bythe addition of a Lewis acid.

Example Compound Conditions Results 516 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(η³-0.067 mmol Cmpd; 25° C.; 1 <0.5 g PE CHEtPh)}BAF atm E; 2 days; CH₂Cl₂(270 TO) 517 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(η³- 0.027 mmol Cmpd; 25° C.; 8.2 gPE CHEtPh)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (11,000 TO) 518{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABH₂]Pd(η³-CHEt(4- 0.016 mmol Cmpd; 25° C.; 1.5 g PEC₆H₄-t-Bu))}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (3,300 TO) 519{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Pd(η³- 0.063 mmol Cmpd; 25° C.; 1 4.6 g PECHEtC₆F₅)}BAF atm E; 5 days; CH₂Cl₂ (2,600 TO) 520{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMel]Pd(η³- 0.044 mmol Cmpd; 25° C.; 6.4 g PECHEtC₆F₅)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (5,200 TO) 521{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³3- 0.049 mmol Cmpd; 25° C.; 1.5 g PEH₂CCHCMe₂)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (1,100 TO) 522{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni(η³- 0.034 mmol Cmpd; 25° C.; 35 mg PEH₂CCHCMe₂)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (37 TO) 523{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABMe#Ni(η³- 0.047 mmol Cmpd; 80° C.; 20 mg PE C₃H₅)}BAF6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (15 TO) 524 {[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.034 mmolCmpd; 80° C.; 260 mg PE C₃H₅)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (270 TO) 525{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABM]Ni(η³- 0.026 mmol Cmpd; 80° C.; 141 mg PEH₂CCHCHPh)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (190 TO) 526{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.040 mmol Cmpd; 80° C.; 992 mg PEH₂CCHCHPh)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (880 TO) 527{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.043 mmol Cmpd, 80° C., 23 mg PEH₂CCHCHMe)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (19 TO) 528{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABMe₂]Ni(η³- 0.044 mmol Cmpd; 80° C.; 54 mg PEH₂CCHCMe₂)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (44 TO) 529{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.042 mmol Cmpd; 80° C.; 15 mg PE C₃H₅)}BAF6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (13 TO) 530 {[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.043 mmolCmpd; 25° C.; 94 mg PE H₂CCHCHCl)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (78 TO) 531{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.042 mmol Cmpd; 25° C.; 8 mg PEH₂CCHCHCl)}BAF 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ (7 TO) 532{[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.020 mmol Cmpd; 0.04 7.8 g PEH₂CCGHCHCl)}BAF mmol B(C₆F₅)3; 25° C.; (14,000 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; CDCl₃TO) 533 {[(2,4,6-MePh)₂DABAn]Ni(Tl3- 0.020 mmol Cmpd; 0.04 8.4 g PEH₂CCHCHCl)}BAF mmol BPh₃; 25° C.; (15,000 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; CDCl₃ TO) 534{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.020 mmol Cmpd; 0.04 4.7 g PEH₂CCHCH(COOEt))}BAF mmol BPh₃; 25° C.; (8,400 TO) 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; CDCl₃535 {[(2,6-i-PrPh#DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.020 mmol Cmpd; 0.04 6.8 g PEH₂CCHCHCl)}BAF mmol BPh₃; 80° C.; (12,000 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ TO) 536{[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.020 mmol Cmpd; 10 mg 326 mg PEH₂CCHCHCl)}BAF montmorillonite; 80° C.; 6.9 (580 TO) MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆537 {[(2,6-i-PrPh)₂DABAn]Ni(η³- 0.020 mmol Cmpd; 0.04 10.3 g PEH₂CCHCH(COOEt)}BAF mmolBPh3, 80° C., (18,000 6.9 MPa E; 18 h; C₆D₆ TO)

What is claimed is:
 1. A homopolypropylene containing one or both of thestructures (XXVIII) and (XXIX), provided that: (XXIX), if present ispresent in an amount greater than or equal to 0.5 of (XXIX) per 1000methylene groups greater than can be accounted for by end groups; or thepolymer contains at least 0.5 or more of (XXVIII) per 1000 methylenegroups, if (XXVIII) is present


2. The homopolypropylene as recited in claim 1 which contains about 15or more groups of structure (XXVIII) per 1000 methylene groups in saidhomopolypropylene.
 3. The homopolypropylene as recited in claim 1 whichcontains about 15 or more groups of structure (XXIX) per 1000 methylenegroups in said homopolypropylene.
 4. A homopolypropylene containingabout 10 to about 700 δ+ methylene groups per 1000 methylene groups. 5.The homopolypropylene as recited in claim 4 containing about 25 to about300 δ+ methylene groups per 1000 methylene groups.
 6. Ahomopolypropylene wherein a ratio of δ+:γ methylene groups is about 0.5to about
 7. 7. The homopolypropylene as recited in claim 6 wherein saidratio is about 0.7 to 2.0.
 8. A homopolypropylene in which about 30 toabout 85 mole percent of monomer units are enchained in an ω,1 fashion.9. The homopolypropylene as recited in claim 8 wherein about 30 to about60 mole percent of the monomer units are enchained in an ω,1 fashion.